A Chelsea supporter who admitted to using homophobic language in the stands during the club’s away fixture at Brighton on 16 December has been banned for three years.

Twenty-year-old George Bradley pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress and was also fined £965.

Sussex Police’s football policing officer Darren Balkham said: “This was a great example of the stewarding and policing operation at the stadium taking action when incidents occur.

“I would urge any supporter attending the Amex to report these incidents to either a steward or police officer to allow us to take action at the time.”

The fixture at Brighton, won 2-1 by Chelsea, came after the club condemned a “brainless” section of fans for shaming the club in the wake of four front row supporters being banned from attending matches after they were caught on camera racially abusing Raheem Sterling.