April 15 – France’s Ligue 1 match between Dijon and Amiens was held up last Friday after visiting captain Prince Gouano was the target of monkey chants, adding to a string of recent racist incidents across Europe.
It came just days after rising Italian star Moise Kean was targeted by Cagliari fans in Italy’s Serie A.
The goalless draw in Dijon was halted for five minutes in the 78th minute as players from both sides stopped playing after Gouano said he heard insults. “It’s over,” Gouano said. “We’re not playing on. I’m taking off my team-mates.”
Referee Karim Abed also asked the stadium announcer to “get the message across, if it happens again, we stop.”
Following discussions between players, coaches and officials, play then resumed.
After the game, the French league (LFP) said it would investigate and also announced that Dijon had identified the culprit.
“These disgusting shouts are contrary to the values conveyed by sport, they insult our Republic, and I welcome the rapid reaction of the LFP: racism will never have a place in France,” interior minister Christophe Castener responded.
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