The French soccer league has raised its voice against the homophobic and sexist chants that were heard from fans during a recent match between Nice and their rivals from Marseille. The league, known as LFP, has also criticized the racist banners displayed by some Nice supporters. On Monday, the LFP announced that these alarming incidents will be reviewed by its disciplinary committee in an upcoming meeting on Wednesday.
Benoît Payan, the mayor of Marseille, urged the league to take decisive action following the posting of a photo on social media, showing a particularly offensive banner from a group of fervent Nice fans. The banner contained the phrase: “The sun is setting on the city of Nice… let the rat hunt begin.” The term “rat” holds derogatory connotations in French and was perceived as a reference to the significant Arab community in Marseille.
Payan took to social media platform X to express his disapproval, stating, “Racist remarks cannot be tolerated in a stadium. I’m asking the LFP not to let this happen.” In addition to this, another banner was directed against Neal Maupay, a former Nice player who spent eight years with the club before moving to Marseille. The match itself saw a brief interruption in the first half due to persistent homophobic chants from Nice fans.
Marseille, which has faced scrutiny for its supporters’ previous anti-gay slurs, condemned the displayed banners as “unacceptable.” In a statement, the club emphasized its long-standing commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, and tolerance, asserting that racism has no place in stadiums or society at large.
In the match that unfolded, Nice secured a 2-0 victory over Marseille, elevating its position to fourth place in Ligue 1. The ownership of Nice belongs to Ineos, a company led by Jim Ratcliffe, who is also a part-owner of Manchester United, following a takeover executed in 2019.
Homophobic insults have unfortunately become a frequent occurrence in Ligue 1 matches, with club officials historically turning a blind eye to such behavior. Soccer authorities have grappled with finding effective methods to address and reduce these issues. In the past, fines have been levied against French clubs, and the LFP disciplinary committee has even imposed restrictions on specific stands following similar incidents. Notably, French law stipulates penalties for anti-gay insults made publicly, which can include a prison sentence of up to one year and fines reaching 45,000 euros (approximately $47,600).
The professional soccer league has announced its stance to combat discriminatory practices, calling for the identification and prosecution of those who engage in such behavior in stadiums. As stated by the league, “Racist, sexist, and homophobic supporters have no place in a soccer stadium.” This declaration reflects the league’s commitment to creating a more inclusive environment for all fans and participants in the sport.
