Sports News | Paris City Hall, Mayor Launch Legal Action After PSG Fans Who Targeted Her with Sexist Insults

Paris, Feb 13 (AP) Paris city hall said on Tuesday it is taking legal action after sections of PSG fans targeted Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo with sexist insults and slurred homophobic chants during a French league match, amid a bitter feud over the club's uncertain future at its home stadium.

Hidalgo, who is opposed to a sale of the stadium to the soccer club, will in addition lodge a complaint in her own name for public insults. The matter will also be referred to the French league's disciplinary committee, Paris city hall said in a statement.

Also Read | ‘I Am Well and Truly Done’ David Warner Admits Playing Last Home Game of International Career During AUS vs WI 3rd T20I 2024 at Perth.

PSG fans reportedly put on display a series of banners hostile to Hidalgo during PSG's 3-1 win against Lille at the Parc des Princes.

“Without PSG, the Parc has no more Princes,” one banner read. “Hidalgo is killing Paris and its magic,” was another slogan, while chants of “Hidalgo resign!” could also be heard.

Also Read | Manchester United And Jim Ratcliffe Get Premier League Approval Over Deal to Buy 25% of Club.

PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi last week confirmed plans for the French league champion to leave its home stadium after Paris city officials decided the venue was not for sale. Formed in 1970, PSG began playing at Parc des Princes two years later and benefits from a long-term lease.

The club owned by cash-rich Qatari backer QSI wanted to stay and own the stadium but, following eight years of discussions, will have to look elsewhere after the Paris city council voted to confirm the Parc des Princes will not be sold.

In January, PSG said it had invested more than 85 million euros (USD 92 million) in stadium maintenance costs. At the time, PSG said it was committed to investing a further 500 million euros in renovations in order to compete with other clubs at the highest level in Europe.

As for the homophobic chants, which are often heard at French league matches and have been tolerated for a long time, Paris city hall said it “remains mobilised against all forms of discrimination.” Before the game against Lille, both sets of fans reportedly chanted anti-gay songs, leading the stadium announcer to ask them to stop. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)