A Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Lyon was briefly halted on Sunday due to homophobic chanting from PSG fans. The referee, Benoît Bastien, stopped play in the 53rd minute at the Parc des Princes while PSG led 2-1.
PSG captain Achraf Hakimi approached supporters in the Auteuil stand, urging them to cease the offensive chants. In response, a message was displayed on the stadium’s giant screens reminding fans that discriminatory language is prohibited. “The match could be stopped or even lost for the club,” the message stated.
After a pause of a few minutes, play resumed. This incident is part of a troubling trend in French soccer, where authorities have struggled to address homophobic behavior among fans.
Earlier this year, France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau suggested that matches should be suspended when homophobic slurs are chanted. A French advocacy group recently called for stronger action against such behavior, highlighting that Marseille supporters used anti-gay slurs “with complete impunity” during a match against Monaco.
Homophobic insults have long been tolerated in Ligue 1, and efforts to combat this issue have faced challenges. In 2019, following a match between PSG and Marseille that featured homophobic insults, the league initiated a plan allowing spectators to report incidents of discrimination. However, the abuse has persisted and even intensified in recent months.
French clubs have faced fines, and the league’s disciplinary commission has ordered the closure of stands in response to similar incidents. 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 for offensive chants directed at Marseille fans after a match. Ousmane Dembélé, Hakimi, Randal Kolo Muani, and Layvin Kurzawa were recorded using derogatory language while celebrating a 4-0 victory over Marseille, and all four players later issued apologies. The match was also marred by homophobic chanting from sections of PSG supporters targeting Marseille players.
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