Off-Field Distractions

The first few weeks of the '19-20 Ligue 1 season have been "plagued" by a "troubling escalation in homophobic incidents in stadiums." A little under a month into the season, there have been "at least 20 reports of homophobic chanting or slogans documented at games in the top two divisions and League Cup." The first half of the Ligue 1 match between Nice and Marseille last week was halted for 10 minutes after Nice supporters "unfurled two banners bearing homophobic messages." There were "similar scenes" at Nîmes the previous weekend, and another two later on the Côte d’Azur, with Metz’s game against Paris St. Germain halted for a few minutes. The proactive response to the chants by referees, and resultant sanctions by the game’s governing body, are in accordance with measures introduced by the French Professional Football League over the summer aimed at "eradicating homophobia" (London GUARDIAN, 9/4).