The French football league, known as LFP, has taken a strong stance against homophobic chants directed at Marseille by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) fans during their home game against Strasbourg on Saturday. The chants, specifically targeting former PSG player Adrien Rabiot who now plays for Marseille, were deemed unacceptable, prompting the league to launch a disciplinary investigation.
This incident comes just a week before PSG faces off against their fierce rivals Marseille in a highly anticipated match. Rabiot’s transfer to Marseille has been seen as a betrayal by many PSG fans, fueling the animosity between the two clubs.
The LFP’s statement condemned the chants, emphasizing the collective effort within professional football to eradicate discriminatory behavior from stadiums. “These latest discriminatory chants made by Paris Saint-Germain supporters are unacceptable when, at the same time, the whole of professional football has been working to ban homophobic behaviour and chants from stadiums,” the statement read.
The situation highlights a recurring issue with PSG fans and their behavior towards Marseille. Last season, several PSG players, including Ousmane Dembélé, Achraf Hakimi, Randal Kolo Muani, and Layvin Kurzawa, were given suspended one-match bans for offensive chants aimed at Marseille during a game. While the players issued apologies, the incident underscored the deep-rooted rivalry between the clubs.
The Ligue 1’s stance against discriminatory behavior is evident in its actions. Following last season’s incident, the Auteuil stand, located behind one of the goals at Parc des Princes, was closed for two matches. Additionally, due to safety concerns and the history of clashes between fans, PSG supporters will be banned from attending the upcoming match against Marseille in the Stade Vélodrome.
The rivalry between PSG and Marseille is one of the most intense in French football, dating back to the 1990s when Marseille was at its peak and PSG began to gain prominence with the backing of Canal Plus. Since Qatari investors QSI took control of PSG in 2011, the club has become a dominant force in France, securing 12 league titles – two more than Marseille and Saint-Etienne. However, despite its lack of a league title since 2010, Marseille holds a special place in French football history as the only French club to win the Champions League, defeating AC Milan in the 1993 final. PSG, on the other hand, lost its only Champions League final to Bayern Munich in 2020.
With the LFP’s disciplinary committee investigating the latest incident, the focus remains on ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for fans and players alike. This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against discriminatory behavior in football and the commitment of organizations like the LFP to uphold these values.