The Classique in France has long been an explosive game – so then, too, there were verbal lapses in the most recent encounter that caused much criticism. Four PSG professionals have now received suspended sentences.
Paris St. Germain had a convincing 4-0 win over Marseille, but off the pitch PSG presented a sad picture at the Prinzenpark – homophobic chants from the Parisian supporters towards the opponent could be heard loudly, and Parisian professionals also attracted negative attention after the final whistle: Randal Kolo Muani, who arrived from Frankfurt this summer, former Dortmund players Ousmane Dembelé and Achraf Hakimi, as well as Layvin Kurzawa, took offence at the celebrations when they joined in offensive chants from the fan section.
The outrage over the verbal lapses was great in France, and members of the French government demanded consequences. Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera demanded that PSG “file a complaint to identify the perpetrators and take them to court to have them removed from the stadiums. It is unthinkable that we should be deaf to such hateful and homophobic chants in our stands.”
The disciplinary commission of the French league federation LFP also started investigations and has now handed out punishments: because of the homophobic chants, Paris St. Germain must completely close one stand for one match – the ban on entering this area of the Princes Park stadium was furthermore suspended for a second match.
Unanimous apologies
Probation was then also the keyword with regard to the players. Kolo Muani, Dembelé, Hakimi and Kurzawa were suspended one game for their jeers. All four had publicly apologised for their misconduct several days before their hearing at LFP headquarters.
“We sincerely regret our words, which we should never have said. We got carried away by euphoria. We are aware of the repercussions of our actions and we will do our utmost in the future to live up to our obligation as role models,” the quartet said in concurring statements on their personal channels on social media.