Industry News

Lille offers free football tickets to women

French Ligue 1 football club Lille are offering free entry to female supporters after sexist banners were displayed at a recent game.

Lille, currently 11th in France’s top flight, are concerned that women may not feel welcome following the signs being prominently exhibited by home fans during their away game at Lyon last weekend.

One sign depicted a woman above the word “kitchen” and another showed a man alongside the word “stadium”.

Lille have since confirmed their home match against Lorient on Saturday will be free for all women.

The club said: “LOSC (Lille) welcomes women by proposing an exceptional offer: all places are free for women for LOSC-FC Lorient!”

It said the offer was “valid within the limit of places available at this rate”.

Lyon said it is investigating the incident. Club president Jean Michel Aulas said: “The club will get tough and will file a complaint against the creator of this banner.”