The French league has strongly condemned the homophobic chants directed by some Paris Saint-Germain fans during their team's home victory against Strasbourg on Saturday. The offensive remarks were aimed at both the club and midfielder Adrien Rabiot, a former PSG player who made over 200 appearances for the team between 2012 and 2019. Rabiot's transfer to Marseille is seen as a betrayal by some fans.
"These latest discriminatory chants made by Paris Saint-Germain supporters are completely unacceptable, especially when the entire professional football community is working tirelessly to eliminate homophobic behavior and chants from stadiums," the league, known as LFP, stated in an official release. During the incident, the stadium announcer at Parc des Princes twice requested the chants to cease, only to be met with jeers. The LFP's disciplinary committee has announced it will investigate the evidence.
Last season, several PSG players received a one-match suspended sentence from the league's disciplinary committee for offensive chants directed at Marseille following a home league match. Ousmane Dembélé, Achraf Hakimi, Randal Kolo Muani, and Layvin Kurzawa were filmed using derogatory language while celebrating a 4-0 win against Marseille. All four players later issued public apologies.
The match was also marred by homophobic chanting from sections of PSG fans targeting Marseille players. Consequently, the league ordered the closure of the Auteuil stand behind one of the goals for two matches, one of which was suspended. Due to security concerns and a history of clashes between rival supporters, PSG fans are banned from attending next Sunday's game against Marseille.
Source link: https://www.theguardian.com
