4 Soccer Players Suspended for Joining in on Homophobic Chants

A handful of players from Paris Saint-Germain who say they got "carried away" and joined fans in anti-gay chants have received suspensions and issued an apology, according to ESPN.

The athletes in question – Ousmane Dembele, Achraf Hakimi, Randal Kolo Muani, and Layvin Kurzawa – "have been handed one-match suspensions for their role in anti-gay chants, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (IFL) said on Thursday [Oct. 5]," ESPN detailed.

"During last month's Ligue 1 match against Marseille at the Parc des Princes, PSG fans were heard celebrating with anti-gay chants directed at Marseille," ESPN said.

The players joined in, but in an apology they pointed to the "euphoria" of the moment, having bested Marseille, and said they got "carried away."

ESPN detailed that the players offered an apology on social media, where they posted, "We're well aware of the impact of our gestures and words on the public, especially the younger ones who dream of watching a soccer match."

The mea culpa went on to add: "We sincerely regret the words we should not have spoken and wish to apologize. In the future, we will do our utmost to be even more exemplary."

While the players made a show of contrition, the soccer club struck a different, less repentant tone, decrying the suspensions.

"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," ESPN quoted PSG as saying in a statement.

However, the club also said it would not be appealing the disciplinary action.

The suspensions follow media reports about the chants, which prompted one soccer official, Olivier Klein, to tweet video of the moment and declare himself "Very shocked by the unbearable homophobic chants heard at the Parc des Princes."

"French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera joined the criticism of the fans," the Associated Press reported at the time.

"It is unthinkable to remain deaf to such hateful and homophobic chants in our stands," Oudea-Castera declared. "Regardless of the rivalry and the stakes involved, they must be fought relentlessly by fans, those involved in the competition, the authorities and the public authorities."

At the time, "PSG said in a statement it condemns all forms of discrimination," ESPN reported, with the club saying that it "intend[ed] to further strengthen its preventive work in the fight against homophobia."