The French government reacted with dismay after homophobic chants during the French first division game between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Marseille (4-0).
The government’s anti-discrimination commissioner, Olivier Klein, said a day after the game that he was very shocked by the chants in Paris’ Prinzenparkstadion and would contact the league association with a view to sanctions.
It is also being examined whether the judiciary will be involved. From the PSG stands, the Marseille supporters were insulted with homophobic insults for almost a quarter of an hour.
“It is unthinkable that we turn a deaf ear to such hateful and homophobic chants in our stands,” said Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra. Regardless of the rivalry between the clubs, such chants must be fought relentlessly. “I already made sure last night that there would be a decisive response.” Those responsible should be identified and brought to justice so that they can be banned from the stadiums.
As the sports newspaper “L’Équipe” reported, the capital club condemned “all forms of discrimination and especially homophobia” in a statement. According to the newspaper, some PSG players also joined in the rude, but not homophobic, chants of their fans after the game was won.