PSG should take action over anti-gay chants
Anti-gay screaming directed at Marseille players by sections of Paris Saint-Germain fans has once again ruined the greatest game in French football, triggering calls for sanctions.
Olivier Klein, the inter-ministerial delegate for the fight against racism, anti-Semitism, and anti-LGBT hatred (Dilcrah), tweeted a video of PSG fans hurling vile anti-gay slurs at their Marseille opponents.
Klein made the remarks on X, the social network formerly known as Twitter. He also stated that he will request fines from PSG and the French league, as well as investigate the possibilities of filing a lawsuit.
Another video shows PSG players hurling insults at Marseille fans while celebrating with young fans at the end of the game.
Amelie Oudea-Castera, France’s sports minister, has also criticized the fans. She stated that the French federation’s disciplinary committee will investigate the issue and urged PSG to submit a legal complaint in order to “identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice, so that they can be removed from the stadiums.”
In a statement, PSG said it condemns all forms of prejudice and “intends to further strengthen its preventive work in the fight against anti-gay demonstrations.”
The French league champions also stated that a meeting with all of its partners will be held in the coming days to discuss the issue.
Many club officials have condoned anti-gay chanting at French league matches for a long time, and sports authorities have struggled to find suitable means to address the issue.
Following a match between PSG and Marseille at the Parc des Princes four years ago, during which some home fans used anti-gay comments, Ligue 1 implemented an action plan that allows spectators to report sexist, anti-gay, or racist acts they witness. The abuse has not ceased.
