A FRENCH top-flight game was HALTED by the referee – after he wrongly believed he heard homophobic chanting from the crowd.
Jerome Brisard had stopped play in the 87th minute, mistaking chants against the Nice terrorist attacks of 2016 for homophobic chants.
During Bastille Day, 86 people died after a cargo truck had deliberately driven into crowds celebrating the event.
Hence why every home match, Nice fans commemorate the victims of the attack by chanting – ‘Daesh, Daesh, we’ll f*** you’. and wear T-shirts reading ‘F*ck ISIS.’
Nice president Fabrice Bocquet was appalled by the decision that the referee made, stating that it was ‘unacceptable.’
During the post-match press conference, Bocquet said: “It’s a lack of respect for the victims of July 14, their families, and the entire city of Nice. Not just OGC Nice.
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“This interruption of the game, like the ultimatum given to our announcer to take the microphone to stop this demonstration or the match would not resume, should never have happened.”
While revealing that Brisard did apologise, the president of Ligue 1 club wants to ensure an insulting decision like this never happens again.
Bocquet stated: “It was a lack of preparation and sensitivity, and it should never have happened, which the delegate agreed.
“The referee apologised. We will take the necessary steps this week with the FFF (French Football Federation), Philippe Diallo (its president), and Antony Gautier (the refereeing director) to ensure this never happens again.”
Antony Gautier addressed the controversy that occurred during the game was due to following the French FA’s ‘zero tolerance policy’ towards discriminatory abuse.
The refereeing director was told Brisard had heard something different: “I spoke with Jerome briefly after the match, and while he clearly heard ‘f*** you’, he was unable to hear the first word, namely the term Daesh.
“If he had been aware of the context, he would not have, exceptionally, stopped the match.”
It seemed that Gautier understood the referee’s position due to the loud atmosphere at the Allianz Riviera when playing Lyon.
While continuing to defend the actions of Brisard based on following the orders of Philippe Diallo, Gautier added: “When you’re focused on your match, it’s not easy to know or hear what’s happening in the stands.
“The referees have very clear instructions from Philippe Diallo, the president of the Federation. They must stop a match for homophobic, racist, or discriminatory chants. It’s zero tolerance.”
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