Lee Steele's tweet

[Suarez]

Lee Steele sacked by Oxford City over Gareth Thomas homophobic tweet
Oxford City have sacked striker Lee Steele after he made a homophobic Twitter comment about Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas.

Thomas is currently taking part in Celebrity Big Brother on Channel 5 and, passing comment on the show, Steele tweeted: ‘I wouldn’t fancy the bed next to Gareth Thomas #padlockmyasse’.

Members of the Oxford City board were made aware of the 38-year-old forward’s comment, and have decided to sack the player.
A club statement said: ‘The Oxford City board have decided to release Lee Steele in view of his recent comment via social media which is considered seriously contrary to the ethos of the club.’
Mike Ford, manager of the Southern Premier League club, defended Steele’s character but agreed that dismissal was the right course of action. He commented: ‘On this occasion Lee’s had to pay for his error of judgement.
‘He’s made a homophobic comment, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s homophobic.’
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Call me old fashioned but I think things gone bloody crazy

[Craig_H]

That seems a bit harsh, is it really a homophobic comment?

[Chris]

38-year-old

Slightly sly way of getting a past it (I'm assuming) player out of the club!

[Suarez]

That seems a bit harsh, is it really a homophobic comment?

No, I don't think it is. Is bloody mad.

[Suarez]

Slightly sly way of getting a past it (I'm assuming) player out of the club!

That could be it.

[Craig_H]

Yep, seems a good excuse for them to get him off the payroll. Would they have sacked their 'star' striker for doing it?

[Gibbo]

Definitely a way of getting off the payroll without paying compensation.

[Craig_H]

No, I don't think it is. Is bloody mad.

If it had been an 'ugly' woman whose bed he said he wouldnt want to sleep next to, it wouldnt have been homophobic, obviously. So what would they have sacked him for in that case?

I think the 'homophobia' thing is a convenient excuse for them.

[Gibbo]

It's probably the hashtag they are kicking off about. Way ott sacking him imo though.

[ChesterDave]

Probably a victim of timing and the desire to adhere to equality. With racism on the agendahomophobia was sure to get some attention too.

I think it is homophobic but I think a warning would have been far more appropriate than sacking

[Lee]

Slightly sly way of getting a past it (I'm assuming) player out of the club!

Yup, more than likely.

Seems a bit harsh perhaps but what a pathetic opinion for a 38 year old to have.

I'm really not a fan of this Twitter thing.

[Rich]

It's **** like that which helps reinforce stereotypes.

Glad he's been sacked and I think he was well out of order.

[Alex]

It was a Homophobic comment. It wasn't needed to be said was it? I have enough gay friends that have too deal with this sort of stuff all the time. Im all for taking the piss out of peoples choices. I dont think its right to do it about something that cant be changed.

[sean_lfc]

It was a Homophobic comment. It wasn't needed to be said was it? I have enough gay friends that have too deal with this sort of stuff all the time. Im all for taking the piss out of peoples choices. I dont think its right to do it about something that cant be changed.

Totally agree. Taking the piss in your mate's living room is one thing, taking it out into the public for all and sundry to see is another. I mean, what do you expect? Twitter people to come and say 'Hahahahahahhaaha, that waz very funnz!!111 hahahajha u make fun of gay guy in your bedz, u dontz like gayz!!! u funni commidian, now ma best friendz'?

[Suarez]

Bloody hell, this wasn't a hateful comment.

Gay people in the media make a living out of comments like that (obviously from an opposite perspective), I'm talking about the likes of Norton and Carr. Thats what the majority of the jokes on their shows are made up of. Its pathetic that someone has lost their job over this, absolutely pathetic.