Referee sparks furious reaction and is forced to apologise for stopping Ligue 1 match - after confusing anti-ISIS chants for homophobic abuse

A referee has been forced to apologise for stopping a football match in France after mistaking anti-terrorist chants for homophobic abuse.

In the 87th minute of Nice's thrilling 3-2 win over Lyon in Ligue 1 on Saturday, referee Jerome Brisard abruptly interrupted play and stopped the match after hearing an 'insulting' chant from the stands.

The expletive chant — 'Daesh, Daesh, we'll f*** you' — is an customary anti-ISIS slogan bellowed out by Nice fans at every home match to commemorate the victims of the 2016 terrorist attack.

Eighty-six people died in Nice on July 14, 2016 after a 19-tonne cargo truck was deliberately driven into the crowds celebrating Bastille Day, in an attack which was later claimed by the Islamic State (Daesh).

Nice president Fabrice Bocquet furiously criticised the referee's 'unacceptable' decision to halt the game, prompting a public apology from Brisard after the match.

'This is unacceptable,' Bocquet said during a post-match press conference. 'It's a lack of respect for the victims of July 14, their families, and the entire city of Nice. Not just OGC Nice (the football club). 

'We had a very difficult time with this moment. This interruption of the game, like the ultimatum given to our announcer to take the microphone to stop this demonstration or the match would not resume, should never have happened. 

'It was a lack of preparation and sensitivity, and it should never have happened, which the delegate agreed. 

'The referee apologised. We will take the necessary steps this week with the FFF (French Football Federation), Philippe Diallo (its president), and Antony Gautier (the refereeing director) to ensure this never happens again.'

Quickly addressing the controversy, French refereeing chief Gautier revealed that he spoke with Brisard and learned the decision was made to uphold the French FA's 'zero tolerance policy' around discriminatory abuse.

'I spoke with Jerome briefly after the match, and while he clearly heard "we f*** you", he was unable to hear the first word, namely the term Daesh,' Gautier said. 

'If he had been aware of the context, he would not have, exceptionally, stopped the match. Mr. Brisard became aware of it when Franck Haise shared the information with him. 

'The referees have very clear instructions from Philippe Diallo, the president of the Federation. They must stop a match for homophobic, racist, or discriminatory chants. It's zero tolerance.'

Continuing to defend Brisard and attributing the issue to a lack of communication, Gautier added: 'When you're focused on your match, it's not easy to know or hear what's happening in the stands. 

'The referees can't know the habits of all the supporters' clubs here and there. Once again, if he had been informed, he wouldn't have stopped the match exceptionally. It's common sense.'

Nice moved up to 10th in the table with the 3-2 win over Lyon, who slipped down to fifth with a second loss on the spin.