The former Brighton and Hove Albion footballer Colin Kazim-Richards has dropped his appeal against a conviction for making a homophobic gesture during a match at the Amex Stadium.
Kazim-Richards, 28, who currently plays for Feyenoord in The Netherlands, on loan from Turkish side Bursaspor, was due to appear at Hove Crown Court this morning (Monday 8 December).
He had filed an appeal against his conviction in April at Brighton Magistrates’ Court. The appeal was expected to be heard by the Recorder of Brighton and Hove Judge Shani Barnes.
But the court was told that the appeal had been withdrawn in October although there was no trace of this.
Kazim-Richards made the offensive gesture while playing at Falmer for Blackburn Rovers – on loan from Brighton – in a game against the Seagulls in February last year.
He mimed pulling down his shorts and inserting something in his bottom in response to chants from Albion fans.
The player dismissed it as a bit of banter with the fans who had been chanting “you fat bastard” and singing “you’re fat and you know you are” at him.
Kazim-Richards, who denied the charge, was found guilty of using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, within the sight or hearing of a person, likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
He was fined £750 at the magistrates’ court and ordered to pay £620 court costs and a £75 victim surcharge.
At the time Sussex Police said that it was the first conviction for a claim of homophobia against a professional footballer.
