Sunday, March 16, 2025, marked not just another fixture of the Ligue 1 season, but also the tempestuous return of Adrien Rabiot to the Parc des Princes, where he once shone as one of Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) brightest talents. His appearance, donning the colors of fierce rivals Olympique de Marseille, stirred deep animosity among the PSG supporters, culminating in extremely offensive actions during the match, which PSG won 3-1.
Rabiot was subjected to hostile messages and derogatory banners intended to ridicule him and his mother, Véronique Rabiot. One banner read, "Loyalty for men, betrayal for *****. Like mother, like son,” evoking strong feelings not just of betrayal but of deep-seated vitriol, particularly from the club's ultra supporters. The atmosphere turned ugly as chants with homophobic undertones echoed throughout the stadium, directed at both Rabiot and his mother.
Véronique Rabiot, who has been at the forefront of her son's career management, expressed her indignation the following day. "I don’t understand why the match wasn’t stopped, why no one was outraged," she stated on Franceinfo. Her disappointment was palpable as she confirmed her intent to file criminal complaints against those responsible for the abusive rhetoric, voicing her frustration not only at the fans but also at the match officials for their failure to intervene. "This is not football as we picture it; it is not about insulting or defaming people," she reiterated.
Rabiot's absence from the stands during this contentious match was not coincidental—due to concerns for her safety, she felt compelled to remain away from the heated atmosphere. She lamented the lack of support from the authorities and was particularly vocal about the absence of the Minister of Sports during such significant events. "Where is the Minister of Sports? Why isn’t she speaking out?" she demanded, highlighting the scant attention paid to the emotionally charged incidents bringing violence and hatred to the sport.
The tumult escalated when Adrien Rabiot himself responded via Instagram, denouncing the attacks against his family. "Insulting my mother, and my deceased father… It will all be paid for one day. Believe me," he asserted. His post not only reflected his personal outrage but also made pointed barbs directed at PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi, questioning the values upheld by the club. "Nasser, you can have all the money in the world, but class is not something you can buy,” he added, underlining the broader theme of disrespect and morality intertwined with football culture.
Following the uproar, PSG released a strong statement condemning the actions of the fans. “The club condemns firmly all initiatives harming dignity, calling for exemplary behavior from all involved parties to preserve the integrity of competitions,” they stated, demonstrating their awareness of the shifting public perception amid the crisis.
Philippe Diallo, the president of the French Football Federation (FFF), also expressed his dismay. He characterized the behaviours exhibited during the match as "indignities, shameful and revolting", outlining his condemnation of the actions and extending support to Rabiot and his family against the repulsive outbursts.
Despite PSG's attempts to pacify the situation, including quickly removing offensive banners during the match, there remain calls for stringent measures against such detrimental fan behaviour. Advocates, including the anti-homophobia collective Rouge direct, have demanded severe sanctions against the PSG, criticizing the club for allowing such incidents to fester unchecked. The collective argued for urgent disciplinary action from the Ligue de football professionnel (LFP), with discussions underway within the federations to address these unyielding issues of respect and fairness within football.
The disciplinary committee of the LFP is expected to convene soon, examining the events of March 16 and determining potential repercussions for PSG and its supporters. This incident has sparked conversations extending beyond the winter transfer window—it illuminates entrenched issues relating to player treatment, fan conduct, and the cultural climate surrounding French football.
The Rabiot incident could serve as a pivotal moment for both PSG and French football as they grapple with how to uphold the dignity of the sport. It raises difficult questions about the need for comprehensive policies to eradicate discrimination, hostility, and violence from the stands. If football is to remain the beautiful game, it must not allow space for anyone being marginalized or abused—at any level, nor for any reason.
