After homophobic chants during the French first division game between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Marseille (4-0) on Sunday evening (09/24/23), members of the French government have demanded consequences.
Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera called on the French football champions to “to file a lawsuit to identify the authors and take them to court to have them removed from the stadiums.” Regardless of the rivalry between the clubs, such chants must be fought relentlessly.
According to the French news agency AFP, the PSG supporters’ chants lasted almost a quarter of an hour.
Olivier Klein, the government’s anti-discrimination commissioner, called for “sanctions” and was shocked by the chants in Paris’ Prinzenpark stadium. He will involve the league association with a view to sanctions.
PSG “condemns all forms of discrimination”
PSG said in response to questions from AFP that the club “condemns all forms of discrimination, especially homophobia, and would like to remember that they have no place either in the stadiums or in society.” The club therefore left the question of a possible lawsuit against the fan groups unanswered.
In France, there have been frequent homophobic chants in football stadiums in the past. Last season, some professionals also refused to wear a jersey with a rainbow print to mark the day against homophobia.