It all got too much for Jesus Tomillero, and who could blame him.
The lower level Spanish referee has been taking charge of games for 11 years, but the abuse about his sexuality finally became too much.
In March – after being abused again when taking charge of a game in the Second Division of the Andalusian leagues – he filed a complaint and spoke about his sexuality publicly for the first time.
He hoped that by coming out, he could help other men and women deal with their own sexuality, and open up a debate about why people should not be judged by their homosexuality in any sport.
Instead, the abuse increased, and he has told The Spanish newspaper, that he has decided to quit refereeing as a result of the abuse.
Just last weekend he was taking charge of a game when he awarded a penalty in the 47th minute of a game in Cadiz. Immediately, opposition fans began to berate him with disgusting language.
“That’s the fag coming out on TV!” “You’re going to get the goal in the ass, f**king fagot!”
Speaking to the newspaper, Tomillero believes that the insult would not have been as hurtful if it was from a minority, and maybe even a one-off incident, but when he was abused, the crowd began to laugh, in acceptance of the situation he has to endure.
He says he has been left with no choice but to leave refereeing now, a decision that has left him greatly pained.
“I cannot take any more insults. Refereeing was my great passion, and this decision hurts me more than anyone.”
The incident, and the reaction is a reminder that while homophobia appears to be something that is on the decrease, some areas across Europe are less progressive.
