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Luis Enrique sends plea to PSG fans over homophobic chant fears

  /  autty

PSG boss Luis Enrique has pleaded with supporters to be respectful when his side welcome Marseille to the Parc des Princes on Sunday, amid fears the iconic Le Classique fixture could be suspended if homophobic chanting takes place.

PSG and Marseille's clashes are usually heated affairs between the two title rivals and that will be no different this weekend, despite Roberto De Zerbi's men lying 16 points behind their rivals.

There have been huge controversies in the stands in this fixture, with away supporters not allowed to attend games since 2015 - and PSG fans came under fire for allegedly chanting homophobic abuse at Marseille in their 3-0 win over their rivals in October.

RMC Sport have reported that there will be an increased presence of law enforcement officers at the game, with officials preparing to suspend the game if any homophobic chants are heard on this occasion.

Enrique urged the home support not to become involved in vile chanting and told them to focus on supporting PSG and not concern themselves with the opposition.

"I've only played three Classiques, only one at home," he said. "We know it will be a special match for everyone, for the players but especially for our fans. My thinking is always the same: our fans are very important to us, we need their support in every match, in every competition.

"We appreciate the way they never give up and encourage us throughout the season. They've always been behind us, and I'd like to have that support until the end of the season.

"With this level of excitement, I think the fans should focus on our team first and foremost, enjoy what we're doing, and respect the opponent. There's no better indifference than not devoting a single moment to the opponent and focusing on cheering for our team. That's my opinion, that's what I want, and I hope that's what happens."

There will also be added tension as former PSG star Adrien Rabiot prepares to return to his boyhood club with rivals Marseille, following his exit from Juventus.

Rabiot joined Marseille in September and has become an important player under De Zerbi, scoring five goals and assisting one so far.

Marseille will be looking to inflict a first defeat of the season on PSG, who are on a superb run of six consecutive victories and come into this game on a high following their Champions League last-16 win over Liverpool.