The highly anticipated match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Marseille, known as "Le Classique," was overshadowed by repeated incidents of racist and homophobic chanting from PSG fans. The match, which ended in a 3-1 victory for PSG, highlighted French soccer's ongoing struggle to address discrimination in stadiums. Despite referees having the authority to halt games in response to such behavior, no action was taken during Sunday's game at the Parc des Princes, even as the chants persisted.

Calls for Accountability

French campaign group *Rouge Direct* has urged government officials, including the ministers of sport, interior, and justice, as well as soccer authorities, to enforce stricter punishments for discriminatory behavior. The group shared footage on social media showing PSG fans chanting offensive songs, including one that compared Marseille supporters to "rats." The term "rat" carries racist connotations in French and is widely interpreted as a derogatory reference to Marseille's significant Arab minority.

Targeted Abuse Against Adrien Rabiot

Marseille midfielder Adrien Rabiot, a former PSG player, faced relentless abuse throughout the match, including homophobic slurs. Rabiot, who made over 200 appearances for PSG between 2012 and 2019, has been a key player for Marseille this season. His decision to join PSG's arch-rival after leaving Juventus has been viewed as a betrayal by PSG fans, who directed insults not only at him but also at his mother, Véronique Rabiot.

Véronique, who also serves as her son's agent, condemned the abuse and announced plans to file a formal complaint. She criticized the double standards in how such incidents are handled, questioning why the match was not stopped despite the repeated chants. "I don’t understand why nobody is outraged. Why are some matches stopped and not others?" she told Radio France.

Rabiot later took to social media to criticize PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, accusing him of lacking class and failing to address the behavior of the club's fans. "Insulting a mother, and a dead father… You have to pay for everything one day," Rabiot wrote.

A Persistent Problem in French Soccer

The incidents at the Parc des Princes are part of a broader pattern of discriminatory behavior in French soccer. Homophobic chants, in particular, have been tolerated for years, despite efforts by the league to combat such behavior. In 2019, following similar incidents during a PSG-Marseille match, the league introduced an action plan allowing spectators to report sexist, homophobic, or racist behavior. Clubs have since faced fines and stadium closures as penalties.

French law stipulates that public anti-gay insults can result in up to one year in prison and a €45,000 ($47,600) fine. Earlier this season, PSG was forced to close part of the Parc des Princes as punishment for homophobic chanting by its fans. Marseille supporters, who were banned from attending Sunday's match, have also faced criticism for similar behavior at their home stadium, the Velodrome.

Broader Implications

The discriminatory chants during "Le Classique" were broadcast to millions of viewers, including children, raising concerns about the broader impact of such behavior. *Rouge Direct* emphasized the need for more serious action, calling for consistent enforcement of rules and harsher penalties to deter future incidents.

Despite the controversy, PSG extended its lead at the top of Ligue 1 to 19 points with eight games remaining. However, the match will be remembered not for the result but for the ugly scenes that once again exposed French soccer's failure to adequately address racism and homophobia.