French lawmakers are pushing for stronger measures to combat homophobia in football stadiums. Deputies from the Écologiste et social group, including Danielle Simonnet, Sabrina Sebaihi, and Jean-Claude Raux, have filed an amendment aimed at holding clubs more accountable.
The amendment seeks to integrate an "obligation of result" for football clubs into the French sports code. This would require clubs to actively work to eliminate all forms of violence and discrimination within stadiums, with automated sanctions for those who fail to meet these obligations.
The proposal is being considered as part of a broader law reforming the governance of professional football in France. The Assemblée nationale is scheduled to begin debating this legislation starting on May 18, providing a potential pathway for the amendment's adoption.
According to the deputies, the amendment will first be reviewed by the commission des affaires culturelles to determine its admissibility. If deemed receivable, it will be debated and voted on within the commission for potential inclusion in the bill. Should it not be adopted at that stage, the deputies have pledged to present it during the full parliamentary session.
In a communiqué, the ecological deputies emphasized that homophobia in stadiums extends far beyond the stands. They argued that such behavior contributes to the normalization of homophobia throughout society, potentially leading to violent acts. "Homophobia kills. Impunity must end," their statement declared.
The core of the proposal is to establish a clear legal obligation for event organizers regarding safety and respect for all individuals within football stadiums. This would shift the responsibility more firmly onto clubs to ensure their venues are free from discriminatory behavior.
This legislative effort follows a proposition de loi (PPL) deposited six months earlier by the same group of deputies, which aimed to increase club responsibility in the fight against homophobia. The current amendment represents a strategic move to attach these measures to the more comprehensive football governance reform bill.
Based on reporting from Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continu.