Rugby Team Fined for Antigay Chants

A Yorkshire, England, rugby club was hit with a fine totaling about $60,000 after fans taunted out player Gareth Thomas with antigay chants.

The fine from the Rugby Football League stems from insults hurled at Thomas during a match between his team, the Crusaders, and the Castleford Tigers on March 26.

According to Pink News, the RFL issued a statement that said, "Castleford were found guilty of unacceptable behaviour, of breaching the RFL's respect policy, of misconduct by their supporters and of conduct prejudicial to the interests of the sport.

"The tribunal was chaired by his Honour Judge Rodney Grant, who criticised the club for failing to take steps to stop the homophobic chanting, for failing to identify the perpetrators, for failing to challenge the chanting and for their failure to undertake a meaningful inquiry afterwards."

Castleford is expected to appeal the decision, which requires it to pay half the fine immediately and the other half by the end of 2011.

Thomas, who came out in December, is reported to be "delighted" by the decision, according to a statement from his manager.