Clampdown on football chants in France

Clampdown on football chants in France  - France's “Ligue de Football Professionnel” President Nathalie Boy de la Tour has come under fire after saying that homophobic chants were part of the culture of the sport. Boy de la Tour's comments sounded out of sync with the view of organisations such as “Rouge Direct” in France and “Kick It Out” in Britain which aim to stamp out homophobia, racism and discrimination in football.

In an interview with "Le Parisien" newspaper Boy de la Tour said "What you hear in a stadium, you won't hear it outside, when you go shopping. In the stadium it's not acceptable as such but it's part of the folklore,"

Her comments came in reponse to French sports minister Roxana Maracineanu's proposal to work harder to implement a ban on homophobic chants in stadiums. SOS Homophobie, said Boy de la Tour's comments risked making homophobia seem acceptable or normal. The minister added she had been shocked by the chants she heard at the Parc des Princes this month when she attended Paris St Germain's 3-1 defeat of Olympique de Marseille.

Last local news

Evening Update Tuesday 07 May

Next week’s Cannes Film Festival is facing the threat of a strike as workers mobilize for better conditions. Cinema workers, including projectionists,... Evening Update Tuesday 07 May Read More

07/05/2024

Xi Jinping's state visit to France

French President Emmanuel Macron will today take the Chinese president to the Pyrenees for a "personal" getaway. The two leaders are expected at the C... Xi Jinping's state visit to France Read More

07/05/2024

French government announces that the CEO of the SNCF will be leaving his role after the Paris Olympics

The French government has announced that the CEO of the SNCF, France’s rail network, Jean-Pierre Farandou will be replaced after the Paris Olympics. F... French government announces that the CEO of the SNCF will be leaving his role after the Paris Olympics Read More

07/05/2024

French and Riviera News Tuesday 7th May 2024

Paris’s public transport authority has been heavily criticized and accused of initiating ‘a bit of a racket’ after increasing the price of Métro tick... French and Riviera News Tuesday 7th May 2024 Read More

07/05/2024

Evening Update Monday 6th of May 2024

The Ministry of Agriculture has announced the Ecophyto 2030 plan, France's new pesticide reduction strategy, is under discussion at the national assem... Evening Update Monday 6th of May 2024 Read More

06/05/2024