This archive report was first published on 10 September 2019.
On September 10, 2019, the head of French football, Noel Le Graet, made a statement that has put him at odds with the sports ministry and the football league. He instructed referees to no longer stop matches for homophobic abuse from fans, claiming that it was "a mistake".
Speaking to France Info, Le Graet stated that he would stop a match for racist chants, fighting, or a dangerous situation in the stands, but not for homophobic abuse. He argued that racism and homophobia are not the same thing and that it is up to the clubs to prevent such incidents.
Le Graet's comments drew criticism from sports minister Roxana Maracineanu, who had launched an appeal for matches to be stopped in the event of homophobic abuse in April. Maracineanu called Le Graet's comments a "discredit" to football.
Several matches have been temporarily halted in France this season due to homophobic abuse, with equalities minister Marlene Schiappa publicly praising referee Clement Turpin for stopping a match between Marseille and Nice last month.
