Homophobia in stadiums: "It's easier to blame football than society"

Since the beginning of the Ligue 1 season, incidents have multiplied in the French stadiums. Several meetings were interrupted because of abusive or homophobic songs. The latest episode took place during the match Nice-Marseille, Wednesday, August 28, at the Allianz Riviera.

Since last spring, the possibility, included in the UEFA regulations, of interrupting a match to call to order and silence silence to insulting supporters, has become an order of French Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu. Pressed by the government and challenged by aficionados, the professional football league is in the front line, but displays a zero tolerance. For Dominique Crochu, first director of the French Football Federation, head of new media and co-founder of the startup Mixity, these advances are positive, but we must not stigmatize football either.

France 24: The incidents have multiplied recently in the stadiums. Is homophobia more inherent in the world of football than in other sports?

Dominique Crochu: I do not think so. Football is always blamed for all the ills, when there is no reason. The only difference is the sound box it represents. The huge media coverage means that when something goes wrong, it gets magnified. In other sports, if the same things happen, you will not know, because the matches are not necessarily televised. I do not think there is more homophobia or racism in football. We can not generalize for 15 people who show a banner. Most people who are in the stadium do not want to be assimilated to this discriminating public. This is a global societal problem and it is easier to blame football than society. There is a magnifying effect.

On the other hand, football always seems to have all the flaws while it must be remembered that it is one of the most inclusive sports. There are different social origins, multiculturalism, multigenerational or people with disabilities. We always forget that football is brewing an incredible number of people.

# Ligue1: the #match Nice - Marseille this August 28 suspended more than ten minutes because of banners and homophobic songs chanted by the Nice! Bravo the referee, Mr. Turpin 🙏 @AssoMousse @DeshoulieresA @RougeDirect (Photo @Serguei) pic.twitter.com/SUzG2UxVPj

What do you think of the firmness displayed by the League and the decision to interrupt the matches in case of abusive behavior?

I find that very good. This is essential. It's a way to become aware of the problem. This is an important step because it is the first time that the matches are stopped. It is clear that there is a desire of the Professional League and the authorities to progress in this field. If we think about racism, we can see that the things that worked were the sanctions.

What surprises me, however, is to see that at a time when the entrance to the stadiums is really controlled, where you can not return with a closed bottle, such streamers get to enter? I think it's really basic and it would be a simple thing to do. It is surprising that we do not ask the question anymore.

Some supporters claim that their insults are not especially homophobic and that this is part of the tradition. What do you answer them?

I do not think they know what that means. Coarseness is no more acceptable than anything else. It seems to attend an escalation, to whoever will release the funny banner, when it is not. This is not a way to encourage his team to insult. The players anyway need a positive message and be worn. When we support a team, we are there to push it.

There is also a responsibility of fan organizations. More prevention should be done against discrimination. Nathalie Boy de la Tour, the president of the professional football league, has just announced a meeting on September 5 between anti-homophobia associations and supporters' associations. There is a lot of work to do. I was delighted to see footballer Antoine Griezmann cover Têtu. It's a strong gesture. It is no more inclusive than to say that homosexuals are people like you and me and that there is no problem. We all have to do something so that there is more inclusion. This is a general evolution of society.

Antoine Griezmann in one of @TETUmag magazine this Wednesday.

"Homophobia in football is enough." 👏 pic.twitter.com/zqbBkmdYjK