Some gamers select to skip matches in France’s high league to be able to keep away from carrying multi-coloured numbers.
France’s high soccer league has been embroiled in a storm of controversy after a number of gamers refused to participate in an LGBT rally over the weekend.
The French Skilled League, the governing physique of nationwide soccer, has known as on Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 gamers to put on rainbow numbered shirts at matches this weekend forward of the Worldwide Day Towards Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. However some gamers refused to take action.
The Nationwide Skilled Footballers’ Union acknowledged that gamers mustn’t transmit “collective messages”. The assertion stated they’re stunned that the golf equipment are asking them to take action.
Toulouse expelled gamers who did not wish to put on the jerseys. However the membership’s Moroccan defender Zakaria Aboukhlal defended his alternative to not take part within the marketing campaign.
“Respect is a price that I worth extremely. It extends to others, but in addition consists of respect for my private beliefs. Due to this fact, I don’t contemplate myself essentially the most appropriate particular person to take part on this marketing campaign,” he wrote on Twitter.
– Zakaria Aboukhlal (@ZAboukhlal) Might 14, 2023
Marketing campaign schedule questionable
Stade Brestoit coach Eric Roy known as the gesture “disastrous”, drawing widespread criticism on social media.
“You’ll be able to see that there are gamers who’ve issues with this. Everyone seems to be free to precise their opinion. Personally, I’ve no issues with this. However there are gamers who could have issues with this, ”he stated.
He additionally stated that it could be flawed to plan the marketing campaign at a time when gamers are combating to keep away from relegation.
Stade Rennais colleague Bruno Genesio stated that whereas he’s towards any sort of discrimination, he’s “unsure it was a good suggestion to prepare a day towards homophobia”.
For a similar motive, Mostafa Mohamed of Nantes was additionally not included within the squad for the match towards Toulouse (0-0).
He stated that he didn’t wish to “get into an argument”, however wished to make clear his place.
“Given my roots, my tradition, the significance of my beliefs and beliefs, I couldn’t take part on this marketing campaign,” he wrote on Twitter.
“I hope that my determination shall be taken under consideration, in addition to my want to not argue about it, and that everybody is handled with respect,” he stated.
Guingamp’s Senegalese defender Donatien Gomis reportedly dominated himself out of Saturday’s Ligue 2 conflict with Sochaux for a similar motive.
Je n’ai pas pris half aujourd’hui on the Toulouse-Nantes match.
Je ne souhaite pas du tout polémiquer mais je me dois de faire half de ma place.
Respect for distinction, it is respect for autre, respect for soi, respect for what you see in the neighborhood, and that is…
— Mostafa Mohamed (@mmostafa_11) Might 14, 2023
Sports activities Minister Amélie Oudea-Castera spoke out over the controversy in assist of the marketing campaign.
“I feel it’s the duty of the golf equipment to go the sanctions,” she stated. “Throughout such an operation, which includes all golf equipment on the principle challenge of non-discrimination, you need to seem.”
She tweeted, “Homosexual or straight, all of us put on the identical shirt. On the French Soccer Championship, everybody ought to rally round such a easy thought of dwelling collectively and non-discrimination.”
“Homos or heteros, on the port of tous le mem mayo.”
Dans le Championnat de France de Soccer, tout le monde devrait se retrouver derrière un message can be easy de vivre ensemble and de de de discrimination.
Bravo a la @LFPfr for his or her operation.#STADE2 #JouonsLaCollectif#17may https://t.co/P8Q8UiY84d
— Amelie Oudea-Castera (@AOC1978) Might 14, 2023
