France's interior minister says he wants soccer matches to be brought to a halt when homophobic chants are belted out by fans in stadiums.
Speaking to France Inter Radio on Thursday, Bruno Retailleau added they have identified two individuals who were suspected of starting the homophobic chants among Paris Saint-Germain fans during a home game against Strasbourg last week.
“They should be severely punished,” Retailleau said. “It’s become unbearable. We can no longer put up with homophobic chanting. I won’t stand for it any longer."
Homophobic chants, often heard at Ligue 1 matches, have been tolerated for a long time by club officials, and soccer authorities have struggled to find appropriate ways of tackling the issue.
Following a match at the Parc des Princes five years ago between PSG and Marseille during which home fans used homophobic insults, the league launched an action plan allowing spectators to report sexist, homophobic or racist incidents they witness. The abuse has not stopped, though.
PSG is playing bitter rival Marseille on Sunday and the latest offensive slurs were made about Marseille and its midfielder Adrien Rabiot. He is a former PSG player who appeared more than 200 times for the club from 2012-19, and his move to Marseille is seen as a betrayal.
PSG has condemned the latest abuse, reaffirming in a statement “its commitment against all forms of discrimination including homophobia.”
French clubs have been sanctioned with fines, and the league’s disciplinary commission also ordered the closure of stands for similar cases in recent years. Also, French law provides for up to one year imprisonment and a 45,000 euros ($47,600) fine when anti-gay insults are made in public.
Last season, some PSG players received a one-match suspended sentence by the league disciplinary committee for offensive chants aimed at Marseille after a home league match.
Ousmane Dembélé, Achraf Hakimi, Randal Kolo Muani and Layvin Kurzawa were filmed using insults while celebrating at the end of a 4-0 win against Marseille. The four players issued apologies.
That match was also marred by homophobic chanting by sections of PSG fans targeting Marseille players. As a result, the league ordered the closure of the Auteuil stand behind one of the goals for two matches, including one that was suspended.
PSG fans are banned from attending Sunday’s game in Marseille at Stade Velodrome for security reasons, with a history of clashes between rival fans.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Samuel Petrequin, The Associated Press
