Marseille’s troubled spell on the pitch has been followed by fresh trouble off it, with a disciplinary case opened after homophobic chants were heard during Sunday night’s Ligue 1 meeting with Paris Saint-Germain at the Stade Vélodrome.
The incidents occurred during the fifth-round fixture, when Marseille ultras were heard chanting discriminatory songs on at least two occasions. The match was not stopped by the referee, despite Ligue regulations and the FIFA protocol for discriminatory behaviour requiring play to be halted in such circumstances.
Marseille face potential disciplinary action
Olympique de Marseille now await the consequences of the case. The issue has already brought significant punishment in French football: last season, the disciplinary commission imposed a combined €212,500 in fines, six matches of partial stadium closure to be served immediately and a further four partial-closure sanctions suspended over similar incidents.
In the days before Le Classique, Sports, Youth and Community Life Minister Marina Ferrari wrote to Ligue de Football Professionnel president Vincent Labrune. Her letter stressed the need for the FIFA anti-discrimination procedure to be applied fully whenever discriminatory conduct or chanting is reported in the stands.
Lyon-Rennes stoppage provides sharp contrast
The different handling of events at the Vélodrome came less than 24 hours after Lyon’s home match against Rennes was interrupted over chanting and a banner in the Bad Gones’ North Stand.
At the 36th minute, an insulting Spanish-language banner aimed at Saint-Étienne, Lyon’s historic rivals, led to a stoppage. The message had been displayed before kick-off and remained in place during the opening period.
The stadium announcer issued two warnings, but abusive chants directed at Saint-Étienne continued. The referee then sent the players back to the dressing rooms, with the game resuming after an interruption of around 15 minutes.
Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso called for a consistent response across the league after the match. “There are chants and banners in stadiums every week,” he said. “Stopping matches is the right thing, but it has to happen at every game, not only when Lyon are 2-0 up and there is a banner.”
The contrasting decisions in Lyon and Marseille will add to the scrutiny surrounding the league’s enforcement of its discrimination protocol, while OM prepare to answer the disciplinary charge.
