Nice vs Marseille Ligue 1 match halted after fans chant homophobic abuse and display anti-gay banners
Referee took the players off in the first half after Nice fans displayed banners with homophobic connotations, while chanting was also heard from the home support
Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
A Ligue 1 derby between OGC Nice and Olympique Marseille was interrupted for several minutes on Wednesday over the display of banners with homophobic connotations.
Play was stopped in the first half and players left the field over the banners displayed by Nice fans. French media also reported homophobic chanting by the home supporters.
A second-half Dimitri Payet penalty gave Marseille a 2-1 win, their first of the season and first under new coach Andre Villas-Boas.
Dario Benedetto opened the scoring in the 31st minute, his first goal since joining from Boca Juniors and his team's first of the season, before Wylan Cyprien levelled with a 66th-minute penalty.
Earlier this month, a Ligue 2 match between Nancy and Le Mans was halted because of homophobic chants.
The French league told referees before the season to stop games in such cases and has pondered introducing a list of banned words in stadiums.
In March, French football league president Nathalie Boy de la Tour came under fire after saying that homophobic chants were part of the culture of the sport.
"It's part of the folklore," she said.
Reuters
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments