UK rugby league club Castleford Tigers have been fined £40,000 ($87,000), because fans shouted homophobic abuse at openly-gay Crusaders player Gareth Thomas.
The anti-gay shouting and chants were hurled at Thomas during a Super League match at Castleford's home ground on March 26.
Thomas is a former Welsh rugby captain, who came out in December before switching codes to play league.
His manager Emanuele Palladino said: "Gareth is delighted, not about the fine, but pleased this behaviour has been recognised as not acceptable."
After the game Thomas said he was only human and couldn't deny he had been hurt by what he heard.
Castleford says they are shocked and disappointed by the ruling.
Chief executive Richard Wright says the evidence does not support the scale of the penalty. The West Yorkshire club plans to appeal.
