Woman receives Football Banning Order for anti-Semitic abuse
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A woman has received a three-year Football Banning Order following antisemitic abuse in Brighton.
Sharon Hales visited a hospitality lounge within the American Express Community Stadium before kick-off of a fixture between Brighton and Hove Albion and Fulham.
She approached a restaurant manager and made an anti-Semitic comment, gesturing towards a table where a Jewish couple were sat.
Officers were called to remove Hales from the restaurant, and found she was intoxicated through alcohol.
She continued to use offensive language while officers took her details.
Hales, 55, of Shipley Bridge Lane, Copthorne, appeared at Brighton Magistrates Court on 13 May 2025 and was found guilty of causing religiously aggravated harassment.
She was ordered to pay a £120 fine, £650 court costs, and a £96 surcharge.
The court also imposed a three-year Football Banning Order.
This restricts her access to attend professional football matches at home and abroad.
The court was told how the incident happened on 29 October 2023.
Hales was with her family in the hospitality area when she made the abusive comment in front of stadium staff members who were left shocked.
She made the comment in reference to a Jewish couple who were eating in the restaurant area.
Speaking after the case, Sussex Police’s Dedicated Football Officer PC Gregg Marshall said: “This was a shocking case and Hales’ anti-Semitic language has no place in football or in society.
“During this case we have liaised closely with Brighton and Hove Albion to ensure the club have the full facts of the investigation for their own action to be taken.”
A spokesperson for Brighton & Hove Albion added, "We echo those comments. There is no place for this such behaviour, and in line with our zero-tolerance approach to any form of xenophobia, the individual will also be subject to an indefinite ban from the club.
"We'd also like to place on record our thanks Sussex Police for their professionalism and support in dealing with such an unpleasant case."