Football
Ian Holyman, France correspondent 7y

Lyon chief Jean-Michel Aulas vows action over sexist banner

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has vowed the club will pursue the person who brandished a misogynistic banner at the club's game against Lille on Saturday.

The banner, which appeared among Lyon fans in Parc OL's North Stand during their team's 2-1 Ligue 1 defeat, showed a silhouette of a man with an arrow indicating 'Stadium,' and the silhouette of a woman with an arrow pointing to 'Kitchen.'

Lyon's women's team star and France captain, Wendie Renard, tweeted: "Lyon fans can you give me an explanation?" after the banner had been posted, prompting a response from Aulas.

"The club will act and will make an official police complaint," Aulas tweeted. "In bad taste and fortunately passed on by an identified individual."

Lyon were embroiled in a similar controversy in 2013 when Aulas' special advisor, Bernard Lacombe, a former OL player and coach, told a female listener to RMC: "I don't talk to women about football."

The woman, who had suggested former Lyon striker Karim Benzema should be relegated to a substitute's role with France, was told by Lacombe: "They [i.e. women] should concern themselves with their pots and pans, and things will be a lot better."

Lacombe subsequently apologised, stating he had replied in a sarcastic manner, claiming: "I would have reacted with just as much vehemence if the criticism of Karim Benzema had come from a man. With different words, of course, but certainly just as colourfully."

U.S. women's team forward Alex Morgan joined the D1 Feminine club earlier this month from Orlando Pride on a six-month deal with an option for a further season. Lyon have won the league 14 times

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