A Leytonstone-born footballer will appear in court today charged with making a homophobic gesture during a Championship match.

Colin Kazim- Richards, 26, is accused of one count under the Public Order Act for making a gesture to home fans while playing for Blackburn Rovers at Brighton and Hove’s Albion’s Amex stadium on February 12.

The former pupil of Aveling Park School in Walthamstow, who plays for Bursaspor in Turkey, is due to appear at Brighton Magistrates Court over two days starting today.