Ashby United Community Football Club staged a special Rainbow Laces charity match yesterday (Saturday) after an incident last summer where one of their players suffered a "torrent" of homophobic abuse.

Now, United player Callum Prince has told Sky Sports of the "intimidating" experience of the abuse and the effect it had on him.

Ashby United are playing the LGBTQ+-inclusive club Leicester Wildecats at Hood Park today (Saturday - kick-off 1pm).

The match has been arranged following an incident in June in which Callum was subjected to a sustained period of homophobic abuse from spectators while running the line in an away fixture in Swadlincote in the Burton & District Sunday Football League.

Ashby United backed by opposition after sustained homophobic abuse.

Last month, a Football Association disciplinary commission ruled on the matter following an investigation, punishing the home team Springfield Sportsbar FC with a fine, penalty points, and a severe warning as to their future conduct.

FA takes action against Swadlincote team after homophobic abuse.

Callum gave evidence at the FA hearing, describing how spectators who were cheering on Springfield shouted abusive words and phrases such as "f****t", "f***k gays" and "f**k gay pride" at him as he officiated on the touchline.

The Sky Sports article reveals that Springfield pleaded not guilty to charges including an aggravated breach of FA Rule E21 relating to discriminatory behaviour on the basis of sexual orientation, but the commission panel noted it was "persuaded" by Callum's evidence in particular and punished the club, with the offence falling into the 'high' category, warranting a greater sanction.

Callum, 23, described the "intimidating" experience of the abuse and the effect it had on him.

He was mostly playing as a back-up goalkeeper for Ashby at the time, and as he was not involved in the matchday squad for the game, he was asked to run the line in the second half, a common request at that level.

Callum said: "It was a top-of-the-table clash, towards the end of the season.

"For a Sunday league game, a relatively big crowd had gathered. When I took my position on the touchline, there were about 30 to 50 people stood behind me.

"The abuse thickened as the half wore on, especially when Ashby moved into a 3-1 lead. It was deeply upsetting. I kind of froze in the moment."

No other spectators present appeared to challenge what was being said towards Callum.

In his witness statement, he outlined how he informed the referee during a water break of the abuse he was suffering, but the official told him he would not act unless someone tried to trip him up while he was running the line.

He said: "I felt let down, as you can imagine."

The homophobic comments continued. Towards the end of the game, which ended 3-3, Callum gave an offside decision against Springfield.

Writing in his statement, he noted how "I was asked by a spectator behind me if my dad touched me when I was a kid".

The escalation of the abuse, and particularly the comment mentioning his father, was "difficult to process" for him.

He added: "My dad took me to my first game at the age of nine - I support Burton Albion - and I've been a huge football fan since then.

"I've coached U17 and U18 teams and I'm also the vice-chair and media officer at Ashby.

"I've always felt welcome and on the same level as everyone else, but I felt that was taken away from me with what happened. After the incident, I stopped playing for about five months."

A year ago, Callum had shared his personal story on the Ashby United CFC website during the annual activation of Rainbow Laces.

He wrote about the anxiety he felt before coming out as gay while studying sport at Loughborough College, only to find he was welcomed by his fellow students and that the space was inclusive.

He found a similar environment at Ashby, where the club strongly supported the campaign for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport.

Callum was wearing rainbow laces in his boots on that Sunday morning in June, the day of England's Euro 2020 opener against Croatia.

He added: "I always have them in my boots, and never had any issues. Even though it was six months after the campaign activation, at the time at least one of my fellow players was still wearing them too.

"I think that's why the abuse started, when someone saw the laces.

"But despite what happened, I don't regret wearing them and I will continue to do so.

"They highlight that sport is for everybody. We shouldn't have to play within ourselves for fear of being abused for who we are.

"Especially if you're not gay or LGBTQ+, wearing laces is powerful. When your team-mates show that they support you, they're also saying that you're just a fellow footballer and that's how you should be treated."

You can read the full Sky Sports interview HERE.