Former Boxing Champion Receives Football Ban for Homophobic Abuse
A former title-winning boxer has been prohibited from attending all football matches for a period of three years after admitting to chanting homophobic abuse prior to Wrexham's fifth round FA Cup match against Chelsea.
Sion Yaxley, aged 29, from Pwllglas, Ruthin, pleaded guilty to a public order offence at Wrexham Magistrates' Court on 7 March.
Deputy District Judge Paul Conlon was informed that Yaxley, a father of two, was part of a group located on Regent Street, Wrexham, before the football match.
Police warned him after he was heard chanting homophobic slurs directed at a group of Chelsea supporters. Despite the warning, Yaxley persisted in hurling insults at the group and was subsequently arrested.
Yaxley, who secured the IBO Intercontinental Super Welterweight title in 2023, is a Welsh speaker. His defence solicitor stated that he did not fully comprehend the meaning of the abusive chants.
The judge said he found this "hard to believe".
The court was also informed that Yaxley had lost his well-paid security firm job following the incident and was currently employed at a warehouse.
He reportedly lost his good standing within the community, having previously volunteered his time mentoring young boxers.
It was noted that Yaxley was heavily intoxicated at the time of the offence.
The banning order prohibits Yaxley from attending any regulated football match in the UK for three years and requires him to avoid being present in any town or city when Wrexham or Wales are playing. This includes any location hosting international games involving UK nations within the UK.
Additionally, he was fined £250, with a £100 surcharge and £85 in costs.
Separate Case: Joshua Jones Receives Similar Penalty
Also appearing in court, but dealt with separately for the same offence under similar circumstances, was Joshua Jones, 33, of Aspen Grange, Weston Rhyn, near Oswestry.
Jones pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear or provoke unlawful violence. He was also reported to have been intoxicated at the time and, like Yaxley, had a previous good character.
A building site manager and father of two, Jones was fined £500, along with a £200 surcharge and £85 costs.
He received the same three-year football banning order as Yaxley.
