Fans have said anti-LGBT chanting at football games has become more prevalent over the last 12 months.

Stuart Matthews, the founder of LGBT fan group Proud Seagulls, told the PA news agency homophobic chants are “almost a regular thing” for Brighton fans.

“It’s becoming more prevalent… we’ve seen an increase over the last 12 months of group chanting and we’re sick and tired of it,” the 53-year-old said. “Most of the ones we get are ‘does your boyfriend know you’re here?’ and ‘we can see you holding hands’… or ‘you must be gay, you’re from Brighton’.

Mr Matthews said at an away game last year Manchester City fans had started the boyfriend chant, to which Brighton fans responded: “You’re too ugly to be gay”. “It was good-natured and it shut them up – that was the good thing – but we shouldn’t be doing that,” he said.

Mr Matthews’ comments come after Chelsea claimed that a “large group” of Manchester United fans made homophobic chants at Monday night’s game between the clubs at Stamford Bridge.

PA understands the FA is not investigating Monday’s incident.

“I’ve got to say the FA were quick to clamp down on racism… they seem very reluctant when it comes to homophobia,” said Mr Matthews. Read more via Four Four Two