Referee Apologizes for Halting Nice-Lyon Match over Misinterpreted Anti-ISIS Chants

During a Ligue 1 match between Nice and Lyon, referee Jerome Brisard stopped the game after misinterpreting a chant from Nice fans as homophobic abuse. The chant, "Daesh, Daesh, we'll f*** you," is actually an anti-ISIS slogan honoring the victims of the 2016 terrorist attack in Nice, where 86 people died. Nice president Fabrice Bocquet condemned the referee's decision as "unacceptable" and disrespectful to the victims and their families, leading to a public apology from Brisard and discussions with the French Football Federation to prevent such incidents in the future. The French refereeing director acknowledged the mistake, explaining the decision was made under the federation's zero-tolerance policy on discriminatory abuse, but recognized the importance of context. The incident sparked outrage among fans and commentators, highlighting the need for better referee preparation and sensitivity to local traditions. This controversy underscores the challenges referees face in balancing enforcement of anti-discrimination policies with awareness of cultural and historical contexts.