A SAINTS fan has been banned from football for three years after being convicted of shouting anti-gay abuse during a home match against Brighton and Hove Albion at St Mary’s.

Joseph Webb, 26, from Field Close, Romsey, admitted a public order charge of making homophobic chants during the match on Saturday, November 19, at Southampton Magistrates’ Court.

He was barred from attending football matches in England and Wales and abroad.

But a similar charge against Rikesh Sakaaria, 28, of Bassett Avenue, Southampton, was dropped because of lack of evidence.

Brighton fan David Weir, 38, from Bexleyheath, east London, was also banned from football for three years for using threatening and abusive language during the same game, described in court as “tense”.

Brighton had Mauricio Taricco sent off for arguing with the referee during the heated match, which Saints won 3-0 thanks to a hat-trick from Rickie Lambert.