A footballer who hurled homophobic abuse at a bisexual player has been fined more than £1,000.

Last August, Sheppey United defender Jahmal Howlett-Mundle said a "narrow-minded" Tower Hamlets FC player called him a “gay p****” during the FA Cup fixture.

Yesterday Ayokunle Odedoyin, 32, was sentenced at Bexley Magistrates Court after being convicted of a homophobic hate crime on June 23.

Odedoyin, from Barking, received a 12-month community order, 120 hours unpaid work and was ordered to pay £500 compensation, costs of £620, and a victim surcharge of £95.

He was convicted of using threatening or abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Discussing the outcome of the conviction on Twitter, Jahmal said: "Pleased with this - there’s no space in football for homophobia."

Rebecca Helliwell, from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said: “Calling out and prosecuting homophobic language is vital to stamping out hate crime.

"These vile slurs have no place on our football pitches or society.

“The prosecution case against Odedoyin included eye-witness testimony from those who witnessed the incident and CCTV footage from the game on the day.

"I hope this conviction encourages more victims to come forward and report such hateful crimes in the knowledge that we will take their concerns seriously and prosecute perpetrators.”

The CPS is currently working with the police, clubs, player bodies and organisations, like the Premier League, the English Football League and the Football Association to explain what evidence is required to charge a hate crime by ensuring we have all the evidence we need to build the strongest case possible.

Lionel Idan, of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said: “CPS has made clear to the police, football authorities, clubs and players that well-known homophobic slurs could be prosecuted as a hate crime, along with any other discriminatory language.

"Because we take hate crime so seriously, we will always ask for harsher sentences in these cases.

"If you see or hear any of this unacceptable behaviour, report it to the police, who will investigate.

"If the legal test is met, we will not hesitate to take people to court so that justice is served.

"Homophobic language stops fans and players from enjoying the sport by demonstrating they are not welcome at their club.

"Nothing is less inclusive than that and it brings real damage to the heart of the game.”