Does anyone remember the third-round FA Cup match between Queens Park Rangers and Blackburn Rovers? I don't either, but apparently that match will live long in the memory of two Blackburn fans who are appearing in court charged with slinging racist and homophobic abuse at Morten Gamst Pederson. Who plays for Blackburn. The Lancashire Telegraph's court reporter has named the two defendants as Graham Gooden, 42, of New Wellington Close, Blackburn, and Craig Rhodes, 41, of Broadway Street, Blackburn as well as confirming the charge as 'racially aggravated harassment and using threatening words', the latter clause sounds rather less severe than the former.
It's difficult to understand why anyone would try to abuse their own (high-performing player), and it's even more difficult to understand why anyone would consider homophobic and racist chants acceptable at a football match. If the allegations are true, hopefully the two have the book thrown at them. Both have pleaded not guilty to the offence and have been released on bail.