Wrexham fan given football ban for using homophobic slurs at Chelsea match

"A former title-winning boxer has been banned from attending all football matches for three years after admitting chanting homophobic abuse prior to Wrexham's fifth round FA Cup tie against Chelsea. Sion Yaxley, 29, from Pwllglas, Ruthin, pleaded guilty at Wrexham Magistrates Court to a public order offence on 7 March. Judge Paul Conlon heard that Yaxley, a father of two, was one of a group of people who were on Regent Street, Wrexham, before the match."

"He was warned by police after he was heard chanting homophobic slurs towards a group of Chelsea fans, but continued to hurl insults at the group and was later arrested. Yaxley, who was crowned the IBO Intercontinental Super Welterweight title holder in 2023, is a Welsh speaker and his defence solicitor said he did not fully understand what the abusive chants meant. The judge said he found this "hard to believe"."

"The court was also told that Yaxley had since lost his well-paid job with a security firm and was currently working at a warehouse. He was said to have lost his good character in his community because of the incident, having previously given up his own time to mentor other young boxers. The court was told he was very drunk at the time of the offence."

"The banning order means Yaxley cannot attend any regulated football match in the UK for three years and must avoid being in any town or city when Wrexham or Wales are playing. This includes any location where any international games involving UK nations are being played in the UK. He was also fined 250, and must pay a surcharge of 100 and costs of 85."

A former title-winning boxer was banned from attending all regulated football matches in the UK for three years after pleading guilty to a public order offence. Police heard him chanting homophobic slurs toward Chelsea fans before Wrexham’s FA Cup tie and he continued insulting the group after being warned. He was later arrested. The court heard he was very drunk at the time and that his defence said he did not fully understand what the chants meant, which the judge found hard to believe. The court also heard he lost his job and was working at a warehouse, and that he had previously mentored young boxers. He was fined £250 and ordered to pay a surcharge and costs.

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