Paris Saint-Germain will be forced to close a section of the Parc des Princes for their Ligue 1 match against Toulouse on November 22 after being found guilty of homophobic chanting.
The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) opened an investigation on October 20 into the chants during the Ligue 1 match against Strasbourg, which were aimed at former PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who now plays for rival club Marseille.
The partial closure will apply to the Auteuil stand — the section of the Parc des Princes which houses a number of the club’s ultras. The sanction will not take effect until November 5, meaning that this weekend’s home game against Lens will take place without restrictions.
PSG’s stadium announcer at the Parc des Princes called for a stop to the chants directed at 29-year-old France international Rabiot, who previously played for the Parisian club.
That match had come eight days before PSG’s three-goal victory at Marseille in Ligue 1 on Sunday, the first domestic match Rabiot had played against his former club since his 2019 departure to Juventus.
PSG versus Marseille — Le Classique — is considered the biggest rivalry in France.
PSG had previously sanctioned with a one-game partial stadium closure following homophobic chanting during the Ligue 1 fixture against Marseille a year ago.
Following that 2023 match, Achraf Hakimi, Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani and Layvin Kurzawa were handed suspended one-match bans by the LFP. The players were summoned for allegedly taking part in offensive chanting that separately took place after the Marseille match, as they celebrated their side’s victory with the club’s ultras. All four players apologised on social media following the incident.
Earlier this month, PSG said they remain committed to reducing discriminatory behaviour at the Parc des Princes.
A club statement read: “Paris Saint-Germain reaffirms its commitment against all forms of discrimination including homophobia. The club takes all necessary measures, before and during matches, to ensure that the Parc des Princes remains an inclusive place for all.
“We work actively to ban discriminatory behaviour and promote a respectful environment, where every fan can enjoy football in complete safety.”
PSG, who are three points clear of Monaco at the top of Ligue 1, are next in action against Lens in the league on November 2 with their home match against Toulouse, when they will observe their partial ban, on November 22.
(Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP via Getty Images)
