what is a homophobic gesture? - is is different to the one or two finger gestures or the O gesture offensive in Latin America - or what? I think we should be told!
If members of the public have complained, then the police are obliged to investigate, so the police are not really at fault.
Presumably the match will have been filmed so it should be an easy investigation.
If he made an offensive gesture he deserves reprimanding, even if it is just a servere telling off by his manager. Gestures are not innocent. If the fans he abused made monkey gestures in return, I suspect he would be equally upset by that.
The argument about 'catching real criminals' is usually offered by someone who is being arrested for an offence, most typically speeding.
The simple fact is, an offence in law is an offence in law, and it doesn't cease to be so because one or more individuals see it as less erious than other offences.
So no, they haven't got better things to do, they are doing their job.
The law against homophobic hatred was passed in 2011 included in an amendment by former Thatcher Minister Lord Waddington.
// On March 23rd, the latest law in the UK came into affect, which will make it a criminal offence to “stir” homophobic hatred.
The offence will include words, behaviour, or material that is threatening in nature. The new law will bring homophobic hatred in line with racial and religious hatred. However, the law will only cover those living in England and Wales. //