28 September 2023 , 14:46
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Four Paris Saint-Germain stars could potentially be banned after being summoned by Ligue 1’s disciplinary authorities for allegedly joining in with homophobic chants after last Sunday’s win against Marseille.
Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani, Achraf Hakimi and Layvin Kurzawa will all face a hearing on October 5, the LFP confirmed, and should it be proven that they participated in a vulgar chant sung by the club’s ultras are likely to face a suspension.
Both Kolo Muani and Hakimi scored in the 4-0 win at Parc des Princes but the match was tainted by fans spending a prolonged period of the second half singing that Marseille fans are “f**s, sons of b****es, mother****ers.” The chant was aired again at full-time while the players celebrated in front of the Virage Auteuil stand, where the club’s ultras are based.
Confirming the LFP investigation, the president of their disciplinary body, Sebastien Deneux, said: “The commission was contacted by reports from officials, in this case the delegates, who report songs of a homophobic nature and comments from certain players which can be described as insulting and rude.
“On this basis, we decided to summon the four players concerned and the club for the next session, on October 5.”
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In a statement on Monday morning the Ligue 1 giants said: “Paris Saint-Germain condemns all forms of discrimination and wishes to point out that they have no place either in stadiums or in society. The club will meet all of its partners on this essential subject in the coming days.
“Paris Saint-Germain has been working for many years with leading associations in the fight against all forms of discrimination, such as SOS Homophobie, which carries out prevention work in academy and pre-academy centres, Sportitude, SOS Racisme and Licra, which works with the club and its supporters.
“The club intends to further strengthen its prevention work in the fight against homophobia and will be meeting all its partners in the next few days on this essential subject.”
The French government also weighed in on the discriminatory singing with minister for sport Amelie Oudea-Castera, a former professional tennis player, saying that her department is inviting PSG "to file a complaint to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice, so that they are removed from the stadiums.”
PSG ultras produce a display before their 4-0 win against Marseille at Parc des Princes.Oudea-Castera indicated that the LFP’s disciplinary body had already been contacted at that stage and added: “It is unthinkable to remain deaf to such hateful and homophobic chants in our stands.
“Whatever the rivalry and the stakes, they must be fought relentlessly by the supporters, the players in the competition, the authorities and the public authorities. Yesterday, these songs spoiled the party at the Parc. It is urgent to eradicate them from our stadiums.”
Kylian Mbappe picked up a minor injury during the game but is expected to be fit for their trip to face United at St James’ Park in the next Wednesday. "It's nothing serious, we think he'll be available soon," head coach Luis Enrique said.