Discriminatory Remarks Under Review During Coupe de France Match
Grenoble vs. Nancy Match Breaks Ground with Anti-Discrimination Observers
In a historic first for French football, anti-discrimination observers were deployed during a Coupe de France Round of 32 match on December 20 between Grenoble and Nancy (1-1, 3-5 on penalties). The initiative took place at the Stade des Alpes, marking a significant milestone in the fight against discriminatory behavior in sports.
Three trained observers were present in the stadium: one from the French Football Federation (FFF), one from the national match delegate commission, and one from advocacy group SOS Homophobie. Their role was to monitor the atmosphere throughout the match by moving through the stands and documenting any discriminatory remarks or actions. In extreme cases, they were authorized to notify match officials, potentially leading to a temporary game stoppage.
Major Victory for Anti-Discrimination Campaigners
Julien Pontes, spokesperson for the activist group Rouge Direct, hailed the initiative, stating, “Our tireless and unwavering efforts are beginning to bear fruit.” The plan received government approval on August 31, 2023, after consultations with several organizations advocating for inclusivity in sports. Former Minister of Sports Amélie Oudéa-Castéra endorsed the measure as part of a broader commitment to combat discrimination in stadiums.
The move also follows the recommendations of a parliamentary report released on December 19, 2023, which critiqued the performance of sports federations in dealing with discriminatory behavior. The report advised a swift rollout of the observer system and called for a full-season review under the supervision of the National Supporterism Council. The objective is to evaluate the method’s effectiveness and determine its future compatibility across competitions.
Homophobic Chants Lead to Potential Sanctions
Despite the presence of observers, reports suggest homophobic chants occurred in the Grenoble fan section shortly before halftime. Since the break followed soon after, the referee did not stop the match. However, the incident was documented by the official match delegate and will be passed to the FFF’s disciplinary committee for further action.
Reacting to the incident, Pontes stated, “We’re expecting Grenoble to be hit with at least a five-figure fine.” Moving forward, the system aims to enable real-time reporting to referees by federation representatives, empowering officials to intervene immediately when abusive behavior is identified.
LFP Keeps Its Distance From the New Initiative
While the FFF has championed this progressive step, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), which governs top-tier French leagues Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, has not yet adopted the observer model. Under the leadership of Vincent Labrune, the LFP remains focused on educational and preventative outreach targeting fans, players, and club academies.
During a recent parliamentary session, Labrune relayed concerns shared by FC Metz’s General Director Hélène Schrub, who argued that implementing the system could be “like shooting ourselves in the foot.” Labrune added, “There’s no question that we must act—it’s a matter of finding the most effective approach.”
Advocates Push for Nationwide Expansion
Advocacy groups are calling on sports authorities to ramp up efforts by installing a trio of trained observers at every professional match, not just in select fixtures. They’re also urging Sports Minister Marina Ferrari to publicly endorse a zero-tolerance policy on discriminatory behavior and are pressing for the LFP to follow the FFF’s example.
For now, the FFF plans to deploy observer teams at identified high-risk matches in the later stages of the Coupe de France. A full evaluation is scheduled at the close of the 2023–2024 season, with the aim of expanding the initiative across all fixtures by the 2026–2027 campaign. Officials believe the presence of visible observers will serve as a powerful deterrent, gradually transforming in-stadium behavior.
