May 20 – Ligue 1’s annual anti-homophobia campaign descended into controversy last weekend as multiple players declined to take part, one striker refused to play altogether, and a homophobic slur was heard during a tunnel exchange – putting French football’s commitment to inclusivity under fresh scrutiny.
Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Nemanja Matic and Le Havre’s Ahmed Hassan both obscured the league’s anti-homophobia insignia during matches on Saturday.
Meanwhle, Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed opted out of his side’s fixture against Montpellier entirely, citing personal convictions – a stance he has now taken for the third consecutive season during the campaign.
Adding to the weekend’s turmoil, Lens defender Jonathan Gradit was caught on camera directing a homophobic insult at halftime in the tunnel during their match against Monaco, in an incident now under review.
France’s sports minister, Marie Barsacq, responded swiftly, calling for stronger enforcement and cultural change.
“Football has a massive platform, and the Federation is determined to put this issue on the clubs’ and supporters’ agenda,” she said on Sunday. “Homophobic insults and behaviour are no longer acceptable. Society has evolved, and the language in football must change with it. There’s a full range of sanctions available, and they must be applied.”
This latest series of incidents has rekindled frustration with what many critics see as an inconsistent and often reluctant enforcement of anti-discrimination measures in French football.
Just two months earlier, the country’s most high-profile domestic fixture, Le Classique between Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille, was marred by racist and homophobic chanting – yet the match was not halted, despite French referees having the authority to do so.
The advocacy group Rouge Direct called on ministers and football authorities to finally clamp down on such abuse, noting the chants were not only illegal but broadcast live to millions – including children. The term “rat,” used by PSG fans to describe Marseille supporters, was widely interpreted as a racial slur.
Marseille later issued a rare public rebuke of PSG fans and expressed solidarity with Rabiot, adding their support to his family’s complaint.
Despite repeated campaigns, fines, and partial stadium closures, homophobic and racist abuse remains a persistent stain on French football. While Ligue 1’s awareness campaigns have good intentions, uneven participation, inconsistent enforcement, and repeated incidents suggest a deeper cultural problem the league has yet to address in any meaningful way.
As Nice full-back Jonathan Clauss put it in the days before this year’s initiative: “I think it’s a never-ending fight, because there will never be 100% of people who agree. And the very fact that there’s a debate is a problem.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1747754350labto1747754350ofdlr1747754350owedi1747754350sni@g1747754350niwe.1747754350yrrah1747754350