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Gay jibes from rugby fans net Castleford a £40,000 penalty
CASTLEFORD Tigers are thought to have become the first British professional sports club to be fined because fans shouted homophobic chants.
The West Yorkshire outfit have been served a 40,000 punishment by a Rugby Football League operational tribunal after being found guilty of misconduct during an Engage Super League fixture against Crusaders RL at The Jungle on March 26.
Some Castleford supporters aimed derogatory comments at Crusaders winger Gareth Thomas, the former Wales and British Lions captain who announced he was gay in December and was making only his second appearance since switching codes.
Half the fine is payable immediately with the remaining 20,000 suspended until the end of next year, although furious Castleford are expected to appeal.
It is not the first time, however, their supporters have incurred the wrath of the governing body. The club was fined 40,000 last September – 50 per cent suspended again – after crowd disorder following a defeat in June.
Castleford must now forfeit the remaining 20,000 as the club tries to finance a new stadium.
An RFL statement read: "Castleford were found guilty of unacceptable behaviour, of breaching the RFL's Respect Policy, of misconduct by their supporters and of conduct prejudicial to the interests of the sport."
The tribunal was chaired by Judge Rodney Grant who criticised the club for failing to take steps to stop the chanting or identify the perpetrators as well as failing to undertake a meaningful inquiry afterwards.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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