Castleford have banned three fans from The Jungle after homophobic chanting was aimed at Crusaders' Gareth Thomas.

The Tigers are currently appealing against a £40,000 fine handed to them by the Rugby Football League following the abuse at the game in March.

And after identifying three people involved, chief executive Richard Wright said further bans could follow.

"It is hoped that banning people who behave inappropriately will make anyone think twice in future," he said.

"We are determined to ensure The Jungle remains a great place to be for a family day out.

"During the Crusaders game there was evidence on the DVD of offensive chanting but it was not clear and did not last long.

Chanting is part of the game and long may it be so but it should be positive and encouraging Richard Wright

"It took a while for spectators to work out what was chanted and most fans did not hear anything. As a result it was not possible to identify the perpetrators on the day.

"The people banned will have a right to appeal at the end of the season but in these cases there is a likelihood of the ban being extended.

"Chanting is part of the game and long may it be so but it should be positive and encouraging. Hopefully, home and away the fans will respond in the right manner.

"We also hope that respectable fans, who form the vast majority of the support base at The Jungle, will help us by reporting any obscene behaviour through the well-established mechanisms that we have put in place.

"The Tigers are one of the most robust in Super League at promoting an inclusive environment for all sections of the community and we pride ourselves on this fact."

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