Cardiff fan threatened with assault from another Cardiff fan

Cardiff City Football fan threatened with assault after challenging alleged homophobic abuse at Cardiff City match
It was decided for his safety he would be escorted out of the stadium away from Cardiff City fans

Cardiff City fan v Cardiff City fan

By Jonathon Hill


11 AUG 2022

SPORT

A man says he was called a “gay c***” and was threatened with assault after he called out alleged homophobic abuse in the Cardiff City away end on Saturday, August 6. Reading led their home match against the Bluebirds 2-1 as it entered the late stages, when fan of 22 years Cennydd Bowles said he heard a supporter in the row behind him loudly call the home side’s goalkeeper a “fu***** fa****”.

“I turned around and told him the term he used was unacceptable,” Cennydd, a 43-year-old heterosexual man and an avid Cardiff away follower, Said “It was over what the fan perceived to be time wasting from the home team. As soon as he said it I just thought I had to turn towards him and say: ‘For God’s sake you can’t say that.’ That then set off a chain of events.

“There were a few words exchanged and a guy sitting on my row then turned towards me and said: ‘What are you doing, there’s no need for this, just leave it out.’ Then I told him that I wasn’t interested in discussing it with him and I just wanted to watch the game. Then he told me if I didn’t shut up he was going to hit me.”


Seconds later Cennydd said another man behind him, who Cennydd said had “obviously heard what had happened”, called the Reading ‘keeper a “gay c***”. “I had to be consistent so I turned around to that guy and told him his language was unacceptable,” Cennydd continued.

“Then that guy told me I was a gay c*** too. I decided I needed to report it so I went to the closest steward a few rows in front.

“To start with, the steward didn’t take it seriously at all as it was Cardiff v Cardiff. He said given how long we were to the end of the game it was best to let it go. I asked if the club’s policy was to let homophobic abuse go if it’s close to the end of the game."

“In fairness to the steward he did later tell me he hadn’t heard me properly to begin with. The supervisor in the stand dealt with it very seriously.”

Cennydd said he spoke to the stewards until the final whistle, followed by Reading’s LGBT+ inclusion officer and South Wales Police. It was decided that for Cennydd’s safety he would be escorted out of the home end with Reading fans and onto a bus to the train station.


“There were a lot of witnesses and no-one vocalised any support for what I was saying," Cennydd recalled. “I don’t blame anyone who decided not to call it out too because I know it’s risky in that environment, but I felt it just wasn’t on and that I had to say something. But the only reaction I received was hostility and that was really disappointing.

“I feel really sad about it and angry, especially now with all the effort going into driving this out of the game, it did anger me. The game still has problems with diversity and inclusion and I can’t imagine what it would be like to be a gay or trans fan sitting at a match with that kind of stuff being shouted. I’m not going to let it go unchallenged, because it’s not right if all Cardiff fans do not feel comfortable in a Cardiff away end. I’m not going to let people shout those things and then go home and feel like they’ve got away with it.”

Cennydd has been contacted by Cardiff City’s supporter liaison officer and a club spokesman has told WalesOnline a process has now begun to investigate what occurred. A South Wales Police spokeswoman said the force is aware of the incident and officers are supporting Cennydd, while Thames Valley Police has started its own investigation.


A spokesman for Cardiff City Football Club said: “Cardiff City FC are in direct contact with Mr Bowles and are working with Reading Football Club, Thames Valley Police and South Wales Police over the reported hate crime. The football club is committed to eradicating all forms of discrimination and anti-social behaviour from within our sport and wider society in general, with procedures and disciplinary processes followed wherever possible in accordance with the club's supporters' code of conduct.

“Any supporters who experience or witness any anti-social behaviour, directly or indirectly, should contact us, giving as much detail as possible (including row, seat number and a description of the incident). Using video evidence and stewarding practices, we will do our utmost to identify anti-social individuals and ensure that they are no longer able to attend Cardiff City fixtures and are reported to the Police. We do not consider them supporters of our club. In relation to the reported incident at Reading, we would encourage anybody with further supporting information to contact the club by emailing slo@cardiffcityfc.co.uk or calling 07484 070422.”

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "Thames Valley Police received a report of a hate incident on Saturday that occurred in the away section during the Reading match against Cardiff City. We take reports of this nature very seriously and will work with both clubs and our partners to investigate these allegations. If anyone has any information we would ask that they call 101 or make a report online quoting reference number 43220353060." Reading Football Club has also been contacted for comment.

Cennydd added: “I think you can have all the policies and frameworks in place in the world but unless fans start taking it on themselves to call this out and say we’re not going to accept hearing this then I don’t think we will see great change.”

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I was sitting about 10 rows directly behind the goal. I wonder if it was the same guy who was calling the keeper ‘a feckin Paedophile’ among other niceties throughout the game.
I’m all for banter (the cleverer the better) but hate such abuse for the sake of it. Also hate the version of Hymns an Arias that some of our ‘fans’ sing. Not funny at all imo.

Embarrassing in my opinion. Hats off to the guy who reported it, showed some guts unlike the sheep following the homophobic lead.

All for the guys actions in calling them out.

Personally I find such people using such language pathetic. Now and then some words can creep out which is bad enough. However, those who expose themselves like that should be removed from the crowd.

Well done Cennydd for displaying such guts and standing up for what is correct.

So it's acceptable for every teams fans we encounter this season to accuse us having sex with animals?. Sheep shaggin b*stard's you know who you are? .so sang Pompey on Tuesday anybody report them all for singing that? Or the city fans for singing we know what we are?

It’s a football match. You hear all sorts on the terraces. If he’s an avid away follower he would know that by now and probably would have heard a lot worse. Not saying it’s acceptable but it’s always going to happen.

While I agree with the op ,did you report the home fans for singing sheep shaggers ,you can not pick and choose what to report.

We've gone soft ,Cardiff fans grassing up other cardiff fans ffs .

We've gone soft ,Cardiff fans grassing up other cardiff fans ffs .

Yeah we use to slap them instead.

We've gone soft ,Cardiff fans grassing up other cardiff fans ffs .

Are you saying homophobic or racist abuse of players is just ‘fair game’ Wez?

I think the bloke who shouted it loves a good bumming really. On a serious note cardiff fans have turned in to fannys grassing on eachother but nothing supprised me these days a good clip around the head would have settled it years ago

It’s a football match. You hear all sorts on the terraces. If he’s an avid away follower he would know that by now and probably would have heard a lot worse. Not saying it’s acceptable but it’s always going to happen.

It will keep happening whilst people say “it’s always going to happen “ !!

It ain’t right and needs to stop, otherwise this is far from the inclusive game it claims to be.

Inclusive.. in the real life, means nothing at all. Just another meaningless piece of bullshit. You’re an experienced guy, and must know that the media surrounding this game is a charade.

For me, I think the guy has gone a bit OTT. If the GK is openly Gay then I see it as accurately homophobic and wrong. If he is straight I just see it as the CCFC fan Just having a pop at an opposing player. No different to using terms like old fashioned insults such as Jessie, girls blouse, wimp and similar. As the intention is usually to just distract them off their game.
Calling out the fan, ok. Job done. Having two police forces, 2 sets of inclusion liaison officers and 2 clubs spending time and money in ongoing investigations is a bit disproportionate for me.
I showed the post to a gay mate of mine and his reaction was literally “he needs to get a life”

If I’m out of touch with things I’ll apologise now if I’ve offended.

Going to be interesting when we next play Brighton though and the Canton Stand en masse start chanting.

Cennydd is a look at me look at me drama queen.

Well done Cennydd on getting the 5 minutes of fame you clearly covet. Stunning and brave. ❄️

It’s a football match. You hear all sorts on the terraces. If he’s an avid away follower he would know that by now and probably would have heard a lot worse. Not saying it’s acceptable but it’s always going to happen.

It will keep happening whilst people say “it’s always going to happen “ !!

It ain’t right and needs to stop, otherwise this is far from the inclusive game it claims to be.

So what would you do? Ban everyone that says something offensive? If we do, we may as well play behind closed doors because there would be hardly anyone left

Cardiff v Brighton

City fans does your boyfriend know your here
Brighton fans, you’re too ugly to be gay.

Used to be called banter till snowflakes like Cennydd started champing at the bit hoping to take offence.

Wasn't it reading that threatened to stop the same for the 'racist' chanting from our fans?! Sheep shaggers related I seem to remember.

Whole society has gone soft, not just football.

So this guy has gone to two police forces, two football clubs and Wales Online to say we have a problem with homophobia? Now why would he do that? I have my suspicions based on his social profiles. I've been following City for years, home and away and can't remember a single racist or homophobic incident. We've simply never had it and he's trying to make up a problem that doesn't exist for his own woke attention seeking pleasure.

I was at Reading in 2020 when they accused us all of racist and homophobic chanting and I remember looking in at the others around me all in disbelief as it was coming over the tannoys That was beyond unacceptable and they eventually apologised but the press picked up on it straight away but the short term damage was done. Seems like this guy is cut from the same cloth as whoever at Reading decided to accuse us all of being racists and homophobes.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foo ... 632871.amp

I certainly won't be reporting the Brum fans accusing us of sheep bestiality on Saturday, in fact, I wouldn't have it any other way. These woke warriors are a real problem as they are purposively divisive and get a kick out of it.

We've gone soft ,Cardiff fans grassing up other cardiff fans ffs .

Are you saying homophobic or racist abuse of players is just ‘fair game’ Wez?

No I'm saying if you got a problem with someone go and have a word not bloody go to the papers .

So this guy has gone to two police forces, two football clubs and Wales Online to say we have a problem with homophobia? Now why would he do that? I have my suspicions based on his social profiles. I've been following City for years, home and away and can't remember a single racist or homophobic incident. We've simply never had it and he's trying to make up a problem that doesn't exist for his own woke attention seeking pleasure.

I was at Reading in 2020 when they accused us all of racist and homophobic chanting and I remember looking in at the others around me all in disbelief as it was coming over the tannoys That was beyond unacceptable and they eventually apologised but the press picked up on it straight away but the short term damage was done. Seems like this guy is cut from the same cloth as whoever at Reading decided to accuse us all of being racists and homophobes.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foo ... 632871.amp

I certainly won't be reporting the Brum fans accusing us of sheep bestiality on Saturday, in fact, I wouldn't have it any other way. These woke warriors are a real problem as they are purposively divisive and get a kick out of it.

Bang on mate

I think the bloke who shouted it loves a good bumming really. On a serious note cardiff fans have turned in to fannys grassing on eachother but nothing supprised me these days a good clip around the head would have settled it years ago

My point totally

We've gone soft ,Cardiff fans grassing up other cardiff fans ffs .

Are you saying homophobic or racist abuse of players is just ‘fair game’ Wez?

No I'm saying if you got a problem with someone go and have a word not bloody go to the papers .

The trouble with that is, what if the person doesn’t want a confrontation? Speak to steward? I would say that’s ok.

I must add that going to see City away is becoming a bit shite, all for having a few beers and a good laugh with your mates and fellow fans but some cant even walk going in to the ground, I recall a punchy fecker at the Cheltenham friendly wanted to fight the world even his fellow supporters, he couldnt even stand never mind fight. We have always had our element of hand bag throwers who call it a battle or war but ffs why would you even shout words construed to be or sound homophobic at an opposing player? probably the same ones that abuse our own players.

I must add that going to see City away is becoming a bit shite, all for having a few beers and a good laugh with your mates and fellow fans but some cant even walk going in to the ground, I recall a punchy fecker at the Cheltenham friendly wanted to fight the world even his fellow supporters, he couldnt even stand never mind fight. We have always had our element of hand bag throwers who call it a battle or war but ffs why would you even shout words construed to be or sound homophobic at an opposing player? probably the same ones that abuse our own players.

Whilst I think the guy who reported the abuse needs to get a life, I am entirely with you on your views on going away with the City these days. Seems a growing element who just treat is a day to get plastered, be abusive and do what they want and take offence if anyone objects. And I am not a snow flake as i despise the woke brigade who are using our game to sow division that has never been there.

I must add that going to see City away is becoming a bit shite, all for having a few beers and a good laugh with your mates and fellow fans but some cant even walk going in to the ground, I recall a punchy fecker at the Cheltenham friendly wanted to fight the world even his fellow supporters, he couldnt even stand never mind fight. We have always had our element of hand bag throwers who call it a battle or war but ffs why would you even shout words construed to be or sound homophobic at an opposing player? probably the same ones that abuse our own players.

Whilst I think the guy who reported the abuse needs to get a life, I am entirely with you on your views on going away with the City these days. Seems a growing element who just treat is a day to get plastered, be abusive and do what they want and take offence if anyone objects. And I am not a snow flake as i despise the woke brigade who are using our game to sow division that has never been there.

You're not wrong and you don't come across as anything as spot on...!

I remember we were all giving the rent boy chants to matty Taylor at West Ham as he was taking a corner. He whipped in an inch perfect cross right onto Nolan’s head who put it way. Taylor then went mental wildly celebrating directing it to us. That’s the way to deal with it fair play to him

It's like being at school. Bad language at a football match whatever next. Almost certainly a guy that demanded other people to get vaccinated to protect him. Needs to be careful he don't Melt at the game tomorrow