![\"Jesús](\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.towleroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/tomillero.jpg?resize=600%2C448\")
<\/a><\/p>\nIn September we reported that Spain’s first openly gay<\/a> football referee, Jesus Tomillero, returned to work after quitting in May due to anti-gay<\/a> harassment from fans.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, he immediately began receiving anti-gay<\/a> threats, the Guardian<\/em> reported<\/a>:<\/p>\n Jesús Tomillero, 21, was refereeing a game between CD Lasalle and Atlético Zabal in Andalusía’s second division on Saturday when a Lasalle supporter told him to “get off for being gay<\/a>” after he awarded a penalty to Zabal.<\/p>\n The game was stopped and the man<\/a> was removed but he managed to get back in and shout “You f**king faggot” at Tomillero.<\/p>\n Following the match – his second since returning – the referee started getting death threats on social media. “You son of a bitch. You messed with the club. We’ll kill you with AIDS, you faggot,” read one.<\/p>\n Another message, featuring a photograph of a handgun and bullets, said: “Not long left to live<\/a>, faggot.”<\/p>\n Tomillero said that the threats began after he posted about the match on social media.<\/p>\n Now, Barcelona FC is stepping up to support him, ESPN reports<\/a>:<\/p>\n Spain’s first openly gay<\/a> referee will be invited to attend a Barcelona game in the coming weeks as the Catalan club look to lead the fight against anti-gay<\/a> behaviour in football.<\/p>\n Barca confirmed to ESPN FC that they have already been in touch with Jesus Tomillero, but they are yet to pencil in a date for him to visit Camp Nou. They anticipate it will be sooner rather than later, though.<\/p>\n As well as the presence of Tomillero, Barca also plan to organise other acts to take a stand against lesbian<\/a>, gay<\/a>, bisexual<\/a> and transgender (LGBT) prejudice in sport, although the details of what exactly that will entail will be confirmed closer to the time.<\/p>\n The post Barcelona Football Club Steps Up for Gay Referee Harassed by Fans<\/a> appeared first on Towleroad<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n