Cardiff City star's homophobic abuse of police officer

A Cardiff City footballer launched into a homophobic rant at a police officer. Bluebirds right-back Mahlon Romeo, 28, was fined last month for drink-driving and abusive behaviour towards a police officer. WalesOnline can now reveal the homophobic nature of the abuse, which happened on February 8 while Romeo was being held at a Cardiff police station after his arrest for drink-driving.

He told officers in the station they were "all c***s" and he aimed homophobic slurs at one particular officer. The Crown Prosecution Service said Romeo repeatedly called the officer "a gay c***" and "gay boy" as well as branding him a "nonce". The Antigua and Barbuda international used homophobic language "numerous" times during the incident.

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Romeo, of Cefn Coed Road in Cyncoed, appeared at Cardiff Magistrates' Court and pleaded guilty to driving a Mercedes-Benz on Cefn Coed Road with 58mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg. He also admitted a public order offence relating to his abuse of the police officer. Romeo was fined £3,317 for the public order offence and £4,423 for drink-driving. He was also banned from driving for 14 months and ordered to pay £100 in compensation to the officer as well as £3,095 in victim services surcharges and £85 in prosecution costs.

On its website Cardiff City says it has a commitment to "eliminate discrimination" over sexual orientation. In February the club announced it was supporting the 'Football v Homophobia' campaign and was taking "a clear stand against homophobia and transphobia so that everyone can enjoy the beautiful game". WalesOnline has asked whether Cardiff City has taken any action in light of Romeo's homophobic abuse. The club has not responded.

Since joining Cardiff City in 2022 the defender has made 51 appearances for the club. In 2020, during his time at Millwall, he made headlines by speaking out against "discriminatory behaviour". His comments came after Millwall fans booed players for taking the knee in an anti-racism gesture. Romeo said fans who booed had "personally disrespected not just me but the football club", adding: "What they've done is booed and condemned a peaceful gesture which was put in place to highlight, combat and stop any discriminatory behaviour and racism."

In April the Bluebirds boss Erol Bulut revealed Romeo and teammate Callum Robinson had been disciplined by the club. Bulut declined to expand on the details, describing the move as an "internal" issue. "I said at the start of the season, discipline and respect is the most important thing for me," Bulut said. "They were a little bit away from that." Romeo returned to the first team line-up just over a week after those comments, starting the final three games of the Championship season against Southampton, Middlesbrough and Rotherham United.

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