October 6 – Four Paris Saint-Germain players have been handed a one-match suspended sentence for offensive chants aimed at bitter rival Marseille after a league match last month.
Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani, Achraf Hakimi and Layvin Kurzawa were given the suspended bans after being filmed singing an insulting song towards Marseille fans, the French league (LFP) disciplinary committee ruled.
PSG will also have to close a stand in their Parc des Princes stadium for two games, one suspended, after supporters aimed homophobic chants at Marseille players.
The quartet have apologised saying they let themselves “get carried away with the euphoria” of the 4-0 win on September 24.
“We are well aware of the impact of our actions and our words on the public, notably the youngest who dream of watching a football match,” they said. “In the future, we will do everything to further respect our duty to set an example.”
Unlike the players, PSG did not apologise, instead suggesting the sanction was too harsh.
“The club regrets that the committee has opted for an excessive and collective measure likely to undermine the dialogue and prevention work undertaken by the club with associations, institutions and supporters,” the club said in a statement, adding that it would not appeal.
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