Leeds United LGBTQ+ Founders Abused at Brighton Match

Key Points

• Andrew Tilly and Drew Harrison, founders of Leeds United’s official LGBTQ+ supporters’ group Marching Out Together established in 2017, were subjected to repeated homophobic abuse during Leeds United’s Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion on 1 November at Falmer Stadium.
• The match ended in a 3-0 victory for Brighton, but the incident overshadowed the experience for the pair.
• A man seated behind them, accompanied by his young son, directed anti-gay slurs throughout the game, including calling Brighton fans “queer b*******” and shouting homophobic insults at Brighton forward Danny Welbeck.
• Tilly confronted the man, stating his language was unacceptable, but the abuser continued, becoming angry and later asking Tilly why he was not celebrating Brighton’s goal, saying “you’re one of them” along with similar homophobic remarks.
• The situation escalated, leaving Harrison feeling sufficiently intimidated and unsafe, prompting them to leave the stadium early.
• As they exited, several nearby supporters expressed support, urging them not to leave; one fan later contacted Marching Out Together to offer a witness statement to pursue action against the offender.
• Tilly reported the incident to a police officer at the match, Brighton’s incident line, Leeds United, and the club’s safety officer.
• Months later, there has been little communication or updates from West Yorkshire Police, Sussex Police, Leeds United, or Brighton & Hove Albion regarding the complaint.
• Tilly expressed disappointment, noting it acts as a deterrent to future reporting: “What’s disappointing is that it acts as a deterrent to people to report in future. If things aren’t going to get followed up, then what’s the point? Prosecutions are appropriate in certain situations, but they can be drawn out and difficult to secure. It’s much easier for clubs to make decisions.”
• The incident was detailed by Andrew Tilly on the Football v Homophobia Podcast, highlighting the shocking nature of the abuse, especially in the presence of the abuser’s young son.
• This occurs amid rising discriminatory behaviour in football; Kick It Out data from August 2025 reported 1,398 discriminatory incidents across professional football, grassroots, and social media in the 2024/25 season, up from the previous year, with spikes in sexism, transphobia, and faith-based abuse, though racism remained most frequent.
• A 2023 Kick It Out survey of nearly 3,000 fans found three-quarters believe supporters are more concerned about discrimination than 30 years ago, most feel football is more inclusive since 1993, but 85% said more work is needed.
• Football v Homophobia’s 2026 Month of Action podcast featured Tilly’s account alongside Chelsea Pride chair Tracy Brown, who noted a “big problem” needing further investigation, amid Home Office data showing rises in anti-LGBTQ+ incidents at Premier League matches.​
• Marching Out Together chair Steve Wignall described the abuse as “disgusting” and “totally unacceptable,” forcing fans to leave feeling threatened.​
• Broader context includes past FA fines on Leeds United, such as £150,000 in 2023 for homophobic chanting by fans during a home match against Brighton in March.

Falmer, East Sussex (The Leeds Times) February 5, 2026 – The founders of Leeds United’s official LGBTQ+ supporters’ group, Marching Out Together, were forced to abandon their seats and leave Falmer Stadium early during a Premier League clash against Brighton & Hove Albion after enduring sustained homophobic abuse from a fellow Leeds fan seated nearby.

What Happened During the Match?

Andrew Tilly and Drew Harrison, who established Marching Out Together in 2017 to promote inclusivity among Leeds United supporters, travelled to Brighton for the 1 November fixture. As reported by Christopher Drewe of PinkNews, Tilly recalled on the Football v Homophobia Podcast:

“There was a guy behind us with his young son, shocking that he was with his son, who made a number of homophobic remarks during the game.”

The man chanted referring to Brighton fans as “queer b*******” and directed slurs at forward Danny Welbeck.

Tilly challenged the behaviour directly.

“I confronted him and said that his remarks were unacceptable. He was obviously angry, and then he continued with his chants,”

Tilly stated on the podcast. The abuse persisted after Brighton scored, with the man questioning Tilly:

“Brighton scored a goal, and he was asking me why I wasn’t celebrating, saying I was ‘one of them’, and homophobic remarks like that.”

The intimidation peaked, leading Harrison to feel unsafe.

“My friend felt sufficiently intimidated to say he wanted to leave the ground. So we chose to leave,”

Tilly explained. Despite the distress, supportive fans intervened as they departed. Tilly described them as “really decent individuals” who insisted the pair should not have to leave. One ally later reached out to Marching Out Together, outraged and offering a witness statement to support banning the offender from future matches.

Who Were the Victims and What Is Marching Out Together?

Marching Out Together serves as Leeds United’s official LGBTQ+ fan group, founded by Andrew Tilly and Drew Harrison in 2017 to combat discrimination and foster inclusivity at Elland Road and beyond. The group has been vocal on issues like homophobic chanting, notably responding to the FA’s 2023 £150,000 fine on Leeds for abuse during a home game against Brighton, emphasising education over ejections.

Tilly, a longstanding Leeds supporter, has spoken previously about the need for football to lead on LGBTQ+ inclusion, as in a 2018 SoccerBible interview where he highlighted the absence of openly gay professional players and called for a homophobia code of conduct. Harrison co-founded the group to create safer spaces for queer fans amid persistent prejudice.

What Actions Were Taken After the Abuse?

Tilly acted swiftly post-incident. He reported it to a police officer present at the match and contacted Brighton’s incident reporting line, Leeds United, and the club’s safety officer. However, as of February 2026, updates remain scarce.

“In the months since there has been little update from the West Yorkshire Police, Sussex Police or the clubs,”

noted PinkNews.

Tilly voiced frustration over the lack of follow-up. As reported by Christopher Drewe of PinkNews, Tilly said:

“What’s disappointing is that it acts as a deterrent to people to report in future. If things aren’t going to get followed up, then what’s the point? Prosecutions are appropriate through the police in certain situations, but they can be drawn out, and difficult to secure. It’s much easier for clubs to make decisions.”​

Why Has There Been No Progress on the Complaint?

The silence from authorities underscores broader challenges in addressing football discrimination. Tilly’s account on the Football v Homophobia Podcast, as highlighted by the campaign’s site, reveals systemic issues: reports often stall despite protocols. West Yorkshire Police and Sussex Police have provided no substantive response, nor have Leeds United or Brighton & Hove Albion, potentially eroding trust in reporting mechanisms.

This mirrors findings from a 2025 Out and Out Football survey of nearly 200 LGBTQ+ fans, where 74% experienced or heard anti-LGBTQ+ abuse, but only 23% reported it, mostly to clubs. Marching Out Together chair Steve Wignall, speaking on the FvH Podcast, called it “totally unacceptable” to force fans out feeling threatened.​

How Does This Fit Into Wider Football Discrimination Trends?

Discriminatory incidents surged in 2024/25, with Kick It Out logging 1,398 reports across professional, grassroots, and social media levels – higher than prior seasons. Spikes hit sexism (up 67% to 192, per Sky Sports News), transphobia (doubled), and faith-based abuse; racism topped the list.​

Home Office data shows more Premier League/EFL matches with anti-LGBTQ+ incidents in 2024/25 versus before. Grassroots saw rising homophobia charges (FA review). Pro clubs like Wolves reported homophobia outpacing racism (10 vs 6 cases), Watford doubled anti-LGBTQ+ incidents.​

Yet progress exists. A 2023 Kick It Out survey of nearly 3,000 fans found 75% see greater concern over discrimination than 30 years ago, most view football as more inclusive since 1993, though 85% demand more action.

What Is the Football v Homophobia Response?

The incident gained prominence during Football v Homophobia’s (FvH) 2026 Month of Action, its 17th annual February campaign aligning with LGBT+ History Month. The FvH Podcast featured Tilly alongside Chelsea Pride chair Tracy Brown, who, recognised by the Crown Prosecution Service for hate crime work, stated:

“We have a big problem, and that needs further work and further investigation.”

FvH director Lou Englefield linked rises to societal anti-LGBTQ+ pushback: “We’re seeing evidence that homophobia and transphobia are on the rise in wider society, enabled by influential figures and anti-rights movements.” Over 140 entities signed as FvH Champions, including eight Premier League clubs; events include FvH Awards (6 February), Premier League’s “With Pride” (6-12 February), and Wear It Black & Pink Day (19 February).​

Chelsea host Leeds on 10 February, with both groups pushing FvH unity messaging. Chairs Brown and Wignall stressed education, especially for youth academies.​

What Has Been the FA’s Stance on Homophobia?

The FA has ramped up enforcement, fining clubs for chants like “Chelsea rent boy” since 2023, starting with Wolves. Leeds faced a £150,000 penalty in August 2023 for “sustained” homophobic chanting at their March home draw with Brighton, as per BBC Sport and an independent commission: “The volume of the chanting leads to the inevitable conclusion that a very considerable number of Leeds supporters engaged in this homophobic chanting.”

Leeds accepted the sanction, pledging fanbase work; the commission faulted pre-match planning and responses. Marching Out Together welcomed action but prioritised education.

What Challenges Remain for LGBTQ+ Fans in Football?

Despite inclusivity gains, barriers persist: no openly gay men’s pro players, low reporting (9/10 fans silent post-abuse), and opaque club data. FvH urges transparency, as few pro clubs publish sanctions. Tilly’s ordeal, amid a child’s presence, highlights normalisation risks.

Surveys affirm optimism – 73% see progress since Kick It Out’s 1993 launch – but 93% of LGBTQ+ fans demand tougher homophobia action. As Wignall put it: “To put two fans in that situation, where they have to leave a game because they feel threatened, is totally unacceptable.”