A Football Game in France was Stopped by Referee After Homophobic Chants

The football match between teams Nancy and Le Mans was stoped for about a minute after fans’ homophobic chants.

The game only continued after players from Nancy asked fans to calm down.

The referee, Mehdi Mokhtari, has been praised in social media for stopping the football match.

Specifically, France’s equality minister, Marlène Schiappa, wrote on Twitter: “Congratulations to referee Mehdi Mokhtari for bravely interrupting the match, as allowed by the regulation, in the face of homophobic songs sung at Nancy-Le Mans.

“Football is a passionate sport. It must remain so for everyone.”

France's sports minister, Roxana Maracineanu wrote: “I address my congratulations at referee Mehdi Mokhtari and the delegation of Alain Marseille who took their responsibilities and decided to interrupt the football match between Nancy and Le Mans for homophobic insults. This is a first and a last, I hope.”