Sports

Dembele, Hakimi, 2 other PSG players suspended for homophobic chants

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) players Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani, Achraf Hakimi, and Layvin Kurzawa have been handed one-match suspensions for their role in homophobic chants.

This was announced by the Ligue de Football Professionnel (IFL) on Thursday, October 5, 2023.

During last month’s Ligue 1 match against Olympique de Marseille at the Parc des Princes, PSG fans were heard celebrating with homophobic chants directed at Marseille, and reports said PSG players were also involved.

The IFL handed the players suspensions from October 10 and decided to close the Auteuil stand at the Parc des Princes for two matches, one of which was suspended.

“The Club regrets that the Disciplinary Commission has opted for an excessive and collective measure, likely to undermine the work of dialogue and prevention undertaken by the Club with associations, institutions and fans,” PSG said in a statement, adding that they will not appeal.

PSG were on Wednesday night thrashed 4-1 by Newcastle United in their first Champions League match at St James’ Park in 20 years.

Newcastle stole the show on a night to remember for their fans on Tyneside as Miguel Almiron, Dan Burn, Sean Longstaff, and Fabian Schaer all scored to inflict on the French club their heaviest Champions League group-stage loss since the Qatari takeover of 2011.

The Star