A French campaign group has called on authorities to address ongoing issues with homophobic chanting among soccer fans, highlighting a recent incident involving supporters of Marseille. During a home match against Monaco on Sunday, Marseille fans reportedly shouted anti-gay slurs “with complete impunity,” according to the Rouge Direct group.
Footage shared by Rouge Direct on social media captured the Marseille supporters directing threatening and insulting chants at Monaco fans. This incident is part of a troubling trend, as French soccer authorities continue to struggle with effectively combating homophobia in the sport.
Despite the outcry, the match proceeded without interruption, even though France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau had previously suggested that games should be halted if fans engage in homophobic chanting.
Rouge Direct has urged Marseille, the league, and the Interior Ministry to investigate the incident further. The group also called on broadcaster DAZN to remove the game’s replay from its platform.
Marseille secured a 2-1 victory in the match, thanks to a late penalty scored by Mason Greenwood, which propelled them into second place in the league standings. However, homophobic insults have been a persistent issue in Ligue 1, often overlooked by club officials, while soccer authorities have struggled to implement effective measures.
In response to past incidents, including a notorious match at Parc des Princes between PSG and Marseille, the league introduced an action plan allowing spectators to report instances of sexism, homophobia, or racism. Nonetheless, such abuse has continued, and in some cases, has intensified.
French clubs have faced penalties, including fines and the closure of stands for similar offenses in recent years. Additionally, French law stipulates penalties of up to one year in prison and fines of €45,000 ($47,600) for public anti-gay insults. Last season, several PSG players received a one-match suspended sentence from the league’s disciplinary committee for offensive chants directed at Marseille fans after a 4-0 victory. Those players—Ousmane Dembélé, Achraf Hakimi, Randal Kolo Muani, and Layvin Kurzawa—issued apologies following the incident, which was also marred by homophobic chanting from sections of PSG supporters.
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