A group of football supporters called Charlton Rainbows were attacked when they turned up to meet an ‘equivalent’ group in Brighton. The club describes itself on twitter as a Charlton Athletic supporters group made up of bi, gay, lesbian and trans gender fans who are standing up to homophobia.

The group reported on Twitter that the meetup, which was scheduled for Saturday, was a hoax, and that ‘some members were attacked’. While thanking the public for their intervention and quick action on behalf of the police, they added that an investigation was ‘ongoing’, with CCTV and statements being taken.

https://twitter.com/proudcafc/status/554192913782308865

Other groups, as well as the Football Supporters’ Federation and Pride in Football, were quick to express solidarity and offer support.

https://twitter.com/ArsenalLGBT/status/554240080572076033

https://twitter.com/CastlecroftRngr/status/554220633031475200

No one from Charlton Rainbows or Charlton Athletic FC had responded to a request for more information from So So Gay as we went to publication.

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Update on 12 January at 16:04: We’re informed that the incident never took place, and was itself a hoax. We’re waiting for confirmation, but note that the Twitter account @proudcafc no longer exists.