Interesting to see the difference between how U.K. sports figures who make homophobic comments are treated compared to their American counterparts. Here they get their hands slapped--in the U.K., they get booted.  Case in point?  Lee Steele.  Towleroad reported: 

Gareth Thomas' participation in the UK's Celebrity Big Brother is making him the topic of conversation in some circles. Oxford City footballer Lee Steele failed to play for his team on Saturday after a tweet (which was later deleted) he made about Thomas caused some controversy:

A remark about openly gay former Welsh rugby star Gareth Thomas appeared on the 38-year-old's account on Thursday night. It said: "I wouldn't fancy the bed next to Gareth Thomas #padlockeda**ehole". The tweet, which was criticised by a city gay rights group, had been deleted by 1pm on Friday.

Our Saturday story prompted debate online and at City's Court Place Farm ground, where Mike Ford's team beat Chippenham 2-1 without Steele. One fan, who did not want to be named said: "It was stupid of him to say something on the internet but I don't think it means he hates gay people."

Other folks on Twitter begged to disagree:

According to Towleroad:  Steele has now been sacked by his team, which released this statement:

The Oxford City board have decided to release Lee Steele in view of his recent comment via social media which is considered seriously contrary to the ethos of the club.

The BBC reports:

Oxford City manager Mike Ford said: "On this occasion Lee's had to pay for his error of judgement."

Mr Ford said calling the player to tell him he was sacked had been the toughest thing he had ever done in football but he felt that the Southern-Premier League club had made the right decision.

He added: "He's made a homophobic comment, that doesn't necessarily mean he's homophobic."

The former England rugby union international Ben Cohen has set up a foundation to combat homophobia and bullying. Speaking to BBC Oxford earlier this week, he said: "If you are a sportsman you're a role model and people look up to you no matter what division you're in." But he stopped short of calling for Mr Steele to be sacked, saying it should have been a lesson learnt.