French Sports Minister denounces homophobic chants during PSG-Marseille, LFP launches investigation

France’s Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra has denounced homophobic chants, which were heard in the stands during Sunday night’s Le Classique, which pitted arch-rivals Paris Saint-Germain against Olympique de Marseille.

Videos have circulated on social media, evidencing homophobic chants directed at Marseille’s players. The chants lasted around 15 minutes and garnered widespread condemnation. Government minister Olivier Klein, who is charged with the fight against racism, antisemitism and anti-LGBT hate, called for an investigation, saying that he was “shocked” by the “unacceptable” chants.

Oudéa-Castéra then took to X, formerly Twitter, to announce that the LFP are in fact investigating the incident at the Parc des Princes. “It is impossible to remain deaf to such hateful and homophobic chanting in our stands. Whatever the rivalry, whatever is at stake, they must be relentlessly fought against by supporters, those competing, and the authorities and public authorities. Yesterday, these chants ruined the party. We must urgently eradicate them from our stadia,” she said. 

The sports minister then added that the LFP are investigating the incident and called on PSG to file a complaint in order to identify those responsible. PSG have released a communiqué, stating that the club “condemns all forms of discrimination, notably homophobia.” 

The investigation into homophobic chants is not the only ongoing investigation. Images showed Randal Kolo Muani, Ousmane Dembélé, Achraf Hakimi and Layvin Kurzawa chanting an expletive-ridden anti-Marseille chant after the match. The players in question could face a suspension, according to Le Parisien. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle