Watch: Footballer given red card after calling opponent gay

A professional footballer in Norway has been sent off during a match after reportedly calling an opponent ‘gay’.

Baerum SK’s Simen Juklerod was given an immediate red card for his alleged homophobic abuse of a Sandnes Ulf player during 1 Division game over the weekend (June 7), the BBC reports.

Both sides were level at 2-2 when Juklerod was dismissed, and his side went on to lose 3-2.

The player denied attaching any expletive to the word and argued that he shouldn’t have been sent off for the abuse.

“There was a second I was not thinking, and said the second word (gay), yes,” the midfielder said.

“Of course it’s completely lame. But I still think that’s not a red card.”

Head of referees Terje Hauge said using the word “in an insulting or offensive manner” would lead to a sending off, as football organisations around the world tighten rules over homophobia both on and off the pitch.

Baerum SK appeared to back the referee’s decision, tweeting after the match that the team had “zero tolerance” for homophobic language, and that an internal investigation had been launched (somewhat-iffy translations below).

You can watch the incident unfold below:

We can’t help but think back to last year, when Bristol Rovers footballer Lee Mansell was booked during a match after kissing Gateshead’s JJ O’Donnell on the pitch.

Or last month perhaps, when an Aussie football player managed to avoid getting booked at all after groping an opposing player’s package. Won’t someone teach these sports stars how to behave?

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