A football game in France was stopped due to 'homophobic chants'

"It's a first. And a last, I hope."

The incident took place between a AS Nancy could face disciplinary action after their match against Le Mans Source: AFP

A football game in France was stopped in the 27th minute due to 'homophobic chants', BBC reports.

The incident took place over the weekend during a match between AS Nancy and Le Mans, with Referee Medi Mokhtari making the call to briefly stop the game until the chanting subsided.

"These songs have no place in a football stadium," Nancy president Jean-Michel Roussier said after the match.

France's sports minister, Roxana Maracineanu, took to social media to commend the referee for their decisive action.

"I extend my congratulations to referee Mehdi Mokhtari and the delegate of the LFP (Ligue de Football Professionnel) Alain Marseille who took their responsibilities and decided to interrupt the football match between Nancy and Le Mans for homophobic insults," she tweeted.

"It's a first. And a last, I hope."

Marlene Schiappa, France's gender equality minister, also applauded the move, tweeting: "Congratulations to referee Mehdi Mokhtari for having bravely interrupted the match against homophobic songs sung at Nancy-Le Mans.

"Football is an exciting sport. It must remain so for all."

The Ligue de Football Professionnel's disciplinary commission will begin an investigation into the match this week, BBC reports.

"Delegates and referees apply disciplinary rules against discriminations," the LFP said in a statement.

"Last April, LFP launched a global action against homophobia in stadiums."