Nancy (AFP)
The match of the 4th day of Ligue 2 between Nancy and Le Mans (2-1) was interrupted a few moments by the referee because of songs insulting the Professional Football League (LFP), Friday at the stadium Marcel-Picot.
A few minutes from half-time and while the stadium announcer had issued a warning to the fans, insulting songs addressed to the National League ("The League, you bugger") came out of the stands.
The referee Mehdi Mokhtari decided to interrupt the game, but it resumed normally about a minute later after the Nancy players asked their fans to calm down.
State Secretary for Equality between Women and Men Marlène Schiappa reacted to the incident on twitter, speaking of "homophobic" remarks: "Congratulations to referee Mehdi Mokhtari for having bravely interrupted the match against Homophobic songs sung at Nancy-Le Mans as allowed by the regulation Football is an exciting sport and must remain so for everyone. "
On her side, also on twitter, the Minister of Sports Roxana Maracineanu "congratulates the referee Mehdi Mokhtari and the delegate of the @LFPfr Alain Marseille who took their responsibilities and decided to interrupt the match of football between Nancy and Le Mans for homophobic insults.It is a first and a last, I hope.
© 2019 AFP