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2024-10-31 07:18:00
Waiting for innovations, the return to the good old ways. The disciplinary commission of the Professional Football League (LFP) has decided to sanction PSG for the homophobic chants sung by some of its fans on 19 October against Strasbourg, partially closing the Auteuil stand at the Parc des Princes for one match. The fine in force from 5 November, PSG’s next home match against Lens, will be reduced, unlike the match in Toulouse on 22 November.
The sanction is lenient (PSG had the stands completely closed last season for the same facts), and takes into account the intervention of the stadium presenter on two occasions to try to make them stop, in vain. More precisely, this is the car park occupied by the Paris Ultras Collective, from which the chants against Olympique Marseille started, which will be closed on the occasion of the reception of the Pink City club valid for the 12th matchday of Ligue 1. “We individualized as much as possible by not closing the entire Virage Auteuil but only the CUP part since that’s where the songs come from”explained Sébastien Deneux, president of the disciplinary commission, quoted by the team.
Stop or interruption of matches, eternal debate
The songs, sung for about ten minutes before being taken up by the entire stadium, had occupied part of the political debate in the following days, judged Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, in charge of the fight against -LGBT+ discrimination. They “unbearable”. This was an opportunity to take advantage of the interruption of matches in the event of discriminatory chants heard in the stands. After receiving the associations that fight against homophobia in football, on Thursday 24 October, the Sports Minister Gil Avérous declared himself in favor of stopping the match, immediately contradicted by his colleague from the Interior who for his part was in favor of a “temporary interruption”. The option of introducing named tickets was favored and should be implemented in the stadiums of the biggest clubs, namely PSG, OM and Olympique Lyonnais.
As for the leaders of the choir, they have not been arrested to date, although two of them were identified five days after the match, according to Interior. After these songs, PSG “reaffirmed its firm commitment against all forms of discrimination, including homophobia”, the club told AFP, adding to take “all necessary measures, before and during the matches, to ensure that the Parc des Princes remains an inclusive place for all”.
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Interview between the Time.news Editor and an Expert on Football Fan Behavior and Disciplinary Actions
Editor: Good afternoon, and thank you for joining us today. In light of the recent disciplinary actions taken against Paris Saint-Germain following homophobic chants from their fans during the October 19 match against Strasbourg, we wanted to delve deeper into the implications of such actions. Joining us is Dr. Emilie Lefèvre, an expert in sports psychology and fan culture. Welcome, Dr. Lefèvre.
Dr. Lefèvre: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here and discuss such an important issue in football today.
Editor: To start with, can you explain how the recent actions by the LFP’s disciplinary commission—most notably, the partial closure of the Auteuil stand—reflect the league’s stance on homophobic behavior?
Dr. Lefèvre: Absolutely. The decision to partially close the Auteuil stand is a significant gesture by the LFP. It sends a strong message that homophobic behavior will not be tolerated in football, and it acknowledges the need for action after repeated offenses. However, the sanction can also be seen as lenient when compared to previous measures, such as complete stand closures. This raises questions about whether the leagues are genuinely committed to eradicating discrimination or if they’re simply trying to maintain attendance and commercial interests.
Editor: That’s an interesting point. Fans, especially the Ultras, are known for their passionate and often controversial behavior. How do you think this culture influences such unacceptable chants, and what role do they play in perpetuating homophobia in sports?
Dr. Lefèvre: The Ultras subculture often thrives on a sense of identity and community, which can sometimes be expressed through extreme displays of loyalty, including chants. While many fans use their voices to support their teams positively, unfortunately, sometimes these expressions turn derogatory, and homophobic chants are a prime example. They often reflect broader societal attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals, and the football environment can amplify those sentiments. It becomes a collective behavior that is normalized within some groups, making it difficult to combat.
Editor: What are some effective strategies that clubs and leagues can implement to educate their fans and reduce instances of discriminatory behavior in the stands?
Dr. Lefèvre: Education is key. Clubs can initiate awareness campaigns highlighting the impact of homophobic language. Collaborating with LGBTQ+ organizations to hold workshops can foster dialogue between fans and those affected by such behaviors. Moreover, consistent reinforcement of consequences for unacceptable actions, as seen here, can help change the culture over time. It’s crucial to engage with fans who genuinely want a more inclusive environment; they can act as allies in challenging the negative aspects of fan culture.
Editor: In light of this incident and the league’s actions, can we expect to see more comprehensive sanctions in the future? Will there be a shift in how these cases are handled?
Dr. Lefèvre: While it’s hard to predict, there is a growing movement within football that prioritizes inclusivity and equality, which may push leagues towards stricter enforcement. The current leniency of sanctions might start to change as public pressure mounts and as more fans demand a positive and inclusive atmosphere. We’ve already seen shifts in other leagues worldwide towards harsher penalties for discrimination. The hope is that sport can lead the way in social change by reevaluating its stance on such behaviors.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Lefèvre, for your insights on this critical issue. As fans and leagues navigate these challenges, the goal should be clear: creating a safe and welcoming environment for all individuals in sports. We appreciate your time and expertise.
Dr. Lefèvre: Thank you for having me; it’s been a pleasure. Let’s hope for change in the right direction!
Editor: And that wraps up our conversation today. Thank you for tuning in to Time.news, and we’ll see you next time as we continue to explore pressing issues in the world of sports.