Anti-discrimination groups have urged the French Football Federation president, Noël Le Graët, to resign after he said that matches should no longer be stopped when there is homophobic chanting.
Several league games in the top two French divisions have been halted by referees this season but Le Graët wants referees to let play continue if there are more homophobic chants, starting from this weekend.
“To say that football is homophobic, and could be the only symbol of homophobia in France, that’s a bit strong. I don’t accept it,” Le Graët told France Info radio station on Tuesday. “We’ll make sure there are no more banners [in stadiums]; that’s different. But stopping games, no.” Read more