Amateur footballer is banned from matches after threatening referee at Chaddesden
AN amateur footballer who was accused of shouting homophobic abuse at a gay referee has been banned from playing in or watching games for three years.
Mujo Ahmetovic verbally abused the referee after being told to remove his earring during a football game at Chaddesden Race Course.
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Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court
The 26-year-old admitted using threatening and abusive words or behaviour to cause fear of violence but denied making homophobic comments.
He claimed he had not known the referee was gay and the homophobic remarks had been made by a crowd of supporters, whom he admitted he had "wound up".
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The referee told police he heard Ahmetovic shouting that he should not be involved in men's football because of his sexuality.
Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court heard that the referee, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, had not experienced anything like it before and the incident had made him think about giving up officiating.
Giving Ahmetovic a 12-month community order, magistrate Derek Lees said: "This was totally immature behaviour – you were quite out of control."
Prosecutor Fernando Rodrigues told the court that Ahmetovic had been a substitute on the sidelines when he disagreed with the referee's decision to give the opposition team a corner kick and became abusive.
Mr Rodrigues said a group of supporters had joined in calling abuse to the official.
The referee then issued a yellow card to Ahmetovic, of Parliament Street, Derby, and took his name.
At half-time, Ahmetovic and some supporters approached the referee and continued the abuse, the court heard.
Mr Rodrigues said the referee felt intimidated and called over two league officials who were watching another match.
The two men spoke to the group and things calmed down, the court was told.
In the second half, Ahmetovic went on to the pitch to play and the referee noticed his earring and asked him to take it out.
"He refused and said 'make me' and charged towards him. He was clenching his fists and the referee walked backwards," said Mr Rodrigues.
The referee decided to stop the game because he feared for his safety.
Mr Rodrigues said Ahmetovic and the others had then shouted abuse, including homophobic comments.
Magistrates gave Ahmetovic a three-year banning order, barring him from attending any football ground or any regulated match.
Ahmetovic was also told to do 180 hours of unpaid work, charged £450 court costs and told to pay his victim £200 in compensation.
Comments
by Sadie73
Tuesday, July 03 2012, 10:34AM
“That is a picture of Ilkeston magistrates court, where Soiuthern Derbyshire Magistrates did used to sit, but which was announced for closure in 2010. Cases from Ilkeston are generally sent to Derby now.”
by Kingie1310
Monday, July 02 2012, 9:14PM
“Mr miggins, where does it say it was heard in derby in the article. Also the racecourse is called that because it actually used to be a racecourse many many years ago, and when it wasn't hosting race meetings it has held England football internationals. So just because you work in the city doesn't mean you know everything about it!”
by Four_Canal
Monday, July 02 2012, 6:41PM
“Derby racecourse open in the 1870s following the closure of the Sinfin course.”
by NINECAR
Monday, July 02 2012, 6:39PM
“by mantw
Monday, July 2 2012, 2:47PM
."Mr_Miggins - pedantic perhaps but not correct. The official address for Derby Racecourse is given as 'Racecourse Playing Fields, CHADDESDEN, Derby DE21 6AH'"
Not to make a hero of Mr Miggins, he is right to say that the Racecourse is not in Chaddesden.
I live facing the Racecourse and the official address I am given from the Post Office is Derby.
As you travel up Nottingham Road and get to the Fire Station, you will find the sign where you actually enter Chaddesden. Technically the area between the Racecourse and Chaddesden is Derwent but it is always called Chaddesden, and I find it easier to tell people I live in Chaddesden”
by real_debater
Monday, July 02 2012, 3:10PM
“"Unfortunately, that picture is not of any building in Derby where the case was heard"
No thats because as stated in the article the case was heard at SOUTHERN DERBYSHIRE Magistrates Court
A case does not have to be heard in the area in which the crime was allegedly committed, it all depends on availablity of magistrates and court hearings”
by mantw
Monday, July 02 2012, 2:47PM
“Mr_Miggins - pedantic perhaps but not correct. The official address for Derby Racecourse is given as 'Racecourse Playing Fields, CHADDESDEN, Derby DE21 6AH'”
by Mr_Miggins
Monday, July 02 2012, 1:50PM
“Yes, I can see the words in the article.
Yes, i can see the picture.
Unfortunately, that picture is not of any building in Derby where the case was heard.
And, there is no "Race Course" in Chaddesden, and never has been. Of course, there is the Racecourse, Derby (Derwent if I'm going to be pedantic), but then I am reasonably familiar with the city in which I work...and I can spell.”
by DaveNotts
Monday, July 02 2012, 1:49PM
“Mr Miggins
"Where is "Chaddesden Race Course"?
And, I am pretty sure that isn't any magistrates court in Derby.
More accurate reporting by the DET."
oh dear, Mr Miggins, as almost everyone knows, (as apparently you dont, or are just trying to be clever, note I said trying) the "race course" is where the football pitches are now, that area has been and will be called that for years,
and, Derby Magistrates Court is on St Marys Gate, number 18 I do believe
so perhaps its you who needs to get your facts checked”
by DaveNotts
Monday, July 02 2012, 1:43PM
“Mr Miggins
"Where is "Chaddesden Race Course"?
And, I am pretty sure that isn't any magistrates court in Derby.
More accurate reporting by the DET."
oh dear, Mr Miggins, as almost everyone knows, (as apparently you dont, or are just trying to be clever, note I said trying) the "race course" is where the football pitches are now, that area has been and will be called that for years,
and, Derby Magistrates Court is on St Marys Gate, number 18 I do believe
so perhaps its you who needs to get your facts checked”
by 8_Specsavers
Monday, July 02 2012, 1:11PM
“Mr_M
There is a picture of the Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court in the article, just in case you didn't see the words "Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court" in the sixth sentence.”