Castleford has been fined 40,000 pounds ($60,000) by the English Rugby Football League for their fans’ homophobic chanting against Crusaders winger Gareth Thomas.
The incidents occurred on March 26 in the Super League.
Thomas, the former Wales rugby union captain, announced he was gay in December. He joined the Crusaders in March, and was making his second appearance.
Half of the fine is suspended until the end of 2011, but the RFL ordered Castleford to pay 20,000 pounds ($30,000) suspended from a 40,000 pound ($60,000) fine last year for bottles being thrown on the field and threats against officials.
Castleford says it will appeal a decision it calls a “shock.”
