French football's disciplinary chiefs were on Monday weighing up whether to sanction Paris Saint-Germain after fans at the Parc des Princes unleashed a wave of homophobic chants during Sunday night's 3-1 win over Lyon that took them seven points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
Issued on: 16/12/2024 - 13:45
2 min
Referee Benoît Bastien stopped play eight minutes into the second-half with PSG leading 2-1 after hearing the abusive din.
PSG skipper Achraf Hakimi approached supporters in the Auteuil stand behind one of the goals pleading for them to stop.
A message was also displayed on the stadium's giant screens warning spectators that such chants are forbidden.
“The match could be stopped and the game awarded to Lyon,” the announcement added.
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Play eventually resumed after a few minutes and substitute Gonçalo Ramos sealed the victory in the closing stages for the hosts. The Portugal international slotted home after Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri parried Bradley Barcola's shot into his path.
PSG boast 37 points after 15 of the season's 34 games. Marseille, who drew 1-1 with Lille on Saturday afernoon, lie in second with 30 points along with Monaco, who were held to a goalless draw at Reims on Saturday night.
"It was a fantastic weekend," said PSG boss Luis Enrique. "Out of the top nine teams, only PSG won and we've opened up a gap. We played against a very confident Lyon side who hadn’t lost in 10 matches and I think we performed at a very high level."
However, off the field, the homophobic chanting – less than two months after similar abuse during the game at the Parc des Princes against Strasbourg – is likely to have far-reaching consequences for PSG.
France’s Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, who has vowed to crackdown on bad behaviour in football grounds, could turn up the pressure on football authorities to sanction clubs that fail to bring their supporters into line.
Action
In the wake of the Strasbourg encounter, the Ligue de Football Professionnel, (LFP), which organises the top two divisions, ordered PSG to partially close one of the stands at the Parc des Princes for the match against Toulouse on 22 November.
PSG said in a statement that it reaffirmed its commitment against all forms of discrimination, including homophobia.
"PSG is taking all necessary measures, before and during matches, to ensure that the Parc des Princes remains an inclusive venue for all,” the statement added.
Under French law, those found guilty of making anti-gay remarks in public can face up to one year in prison and fines reaching €45,000.
Last season, several PSG players received a one-match suspended sentence from the league's disciplinary committee for their involvement in offensive chants directed at Marseille supporters following a 4-0 victory. Ousmane Dembélé, Hakimi, Randal Kolo Muani, and Layvin Kurzawa were caught on video using derogatory language during their celebrations.
They later issued public apologies for their actions.