New Delhi: Marseille’s mayor Benoit Payan has slammed the offensive banners that were displayed by Nice supporters during Saturday’s Ligue 1 clash between Olympique de Marseille and OGC Nice and has called on Ligue de Professional Football (LFP) officials to take action. During the game at Allianz Riviera, many of the banners in the stands were full of offensive messages.
One of the banners put by Nice fans read, “The sun is setting on the city of Nice.. let the rat hunt begin.” Payan took to X with the picture of the banner and said that this “type of racism wasn’t something that should be tolerated. French media also reported that banners also targeted Neal Maupay who had joined Marseille after playing for Nice for eight years.
Les propos racistes ne sont pas tolérables dans un stade.
Je demande à la @LFPfr de ne pas laisser passer.#OGCNOM https://t.co/p5zkmJ5Cxt
— Benoît Payan (@BenoitPayan) January 26, 2025
Though there have been no reports of any physical altercations the vibe had gone away due to these banners. Further, the Nice supporters constantly were reportedly making comments on their opponents. So far there are no reports about any action being taken for the racist remarks the in form of sanctions.
Earlier in the game, actions had to be halted in the 24th minute due to a separate incident that required the announcer to call out Nice supporters to stop their homophobic remarks.
The match ended in a 2-0 defeat for Marseille in the hostile environment. However, they are still in second place with 37 points, although they are trailing the table toppers PSG by ten points. Nice, who are owned by Manchester United’s co-owner Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS company, on the other hand, have collected 33 points and are currently placed fourth. INEOS took over the French club in 2018.
LFP have now responded while condemning the remarks that were heard during the game and noted that the incident will be on the agenda in the next Disciplinary Committee meeting due on January 29th. They reiterated their commitment to fighting against discrimination. They have called out for identifying the miscreants and arresting them, concluding that such comments have no place in football.
Banners displayed in the stadium by Nice supporters during their side’s clash against Olympique de Marseille’s left Marseille mayor red faced as he called for action to be taken against the miscreants. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
