Olympique de Marseille have strongly condemned the “despicable and unacceptable” personal abuse directed at midfielder Adrien Rabiot and his family during Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes. The club has announced it will join a complaint filed by Rabiot’s family and reiterated its commitment to combating all forms of discriminatory behavior.
The match was marred by homophobic and racist chants from some PSG supporters, as well as banners targeting Rabiot and his family. Rabiot alleged that PSG fans insulted his deceased father, who passed away in 2019. Rabiot’s mother and agent, Veronique Rabiot, has filed a formal complaint.
Marseille’s statement read: “The personal attacks, particularly targeting Adrien Rabiot and his family, are despicable and unacceptable. The club, which wishes to offer its full support and solidarity to its midfielder and his loved ones, announces that it joins the complaint filed against unknown persons by Adrien Rabiot’s family.” The club further stated it would “continue to be uncompromising and inflexible against any insulting remarks against the club, its management, its employees or its supporters.”
Rabiot, a Paris-born French international, is a former PSG player, having made 227 appearances for the club between 2012 and 2019 before joining Juventus and subsequently moving to Marseille last summer.
French football regulations allow referees to stop matches in cases of homophobic or racist chanting, but referee Clement Turpin did not halt Sunday’s game.
Veronique Rabiot questioned this inaction, telling Radio France: “I don’t understand why the match wasn’t stopped. I don’t understand why nobody is outraged. Why are some matches stopped and not others?”
The incident highlights the ongoing issue of discriminatory abuse in football and raises questions about the consistent application of anti-discrimination protocols.
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