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Tyson Fury's comments on homosexuality spark hate crime probe

Police are investigating a hate crime allegation following world heavyweight boxing champion Tyso...



Tyson Fury's comments on h...
Golf

Tyson Fury's comments on homosexuality spark hate crime probe

Police are investigating a hate crime allegation following world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury's outspoken remarks about homosexuality.

A member of the public made a complaint after watching a daytime TV programme in which Fury's comments were discussed.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed they were investigating an allegation of a hate crime and will be visiting the complainant to take a statement.

A GMP spokeswoman said: "At 10.30am this morning we received a report of a hate crime following comments made about homosexuality on the Victoria Derbyshire programme.

"As with all allegations of hate crime we are taking the matter extremely seriously and will be attending the victim's address to take a statement in due course."

Fury, who became the WBA, WBO and IBF champion after beating Wladimir Klitschko last month, has been accused of expressing homophobic views.

Off The Ball spoke to Mail on Sunday journalist Oliver Holt about the interview which saw Fury make comments which sparked controversy:

The 27-year-old boxer has been controversially shortlisted for the BBC's Sports Personality Of The Year.

An online petition calling for him to be removed from the list, citing his views on homosexuality, has attracted more than 100,000 signatures.

The BBC has refused to remove him from the 12-person list, with the winner set to be announced on 20 December.

A BBC spokeswoman said: "Tyson Fury's victory and subsequent crowning as world heavyweight champion was widely covered by media outlets and his inclusion on the shortlist is similarly recognition of his sporting achievement.

"It is not about endorsing his personal views. It will be for the public to decide who will be crowned Sports Personality of the Year 2015."

He has also been accused of sexism, having reportedly said a woman's place was "in the kitchen and on her back".

The complaint to police is only in relation to his remarks about homosexuality.

Those comments were published in a newspaper interview before his victory over Ukrainian Klitschko in a heavyweight title fight on 28 November.

Fury, who is of traveller heritage and styles himself as the 'Gypsy King', has denied being homophobic or sexist and says his views merely reflect what is written in the Bible.

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