French Sports Minister Calls for Sanctions Against Footballers Refusing to Support LGBTQ+

14:58, 15 May 2023
© AP Photo / Aurelien Morissard
Maria Konokhova
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Last weekend, the French Professional League (LFP) had asked Ligue 1 players to wear T-shirts with a rainbow-colored number on the back in a gesture of support ahead of International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. However, several players refused to take part.
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French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra has called for players who refused to take part in a rally in support of the LGBTQ+ during the 35th tour of the country's professional football league to face a raft of sanctions.
As part of the campaign, which was held in the two top divisions of France's Ligue 1, players were required to play in jerseys with a rainbow flag, a symbol of LGBTQ+ social movements. But five athletes of African descent, among whom were players from Toulouse football club (TFC) and Nantes football club (FCN), reportedly didn't want to meet this requirement.

"I deeply regret that we do not have 100 percent of the players in France who find themselves in this message of non-discrimination. We live in a country which has always encouraged respect for others, for human rights. It is imperative that we can all find ourselves in such a basic message of living together. I think clubs should have a dialogue with their players and impose sanctions," Oudéa-Castéra is quoted as saying by French media.

At the same time, the head coach of France's Stade Rennais football club, Bruno Genesio, said that even though he is personally against any form of discrimination, he doesn't think it is necessary to "hold an anti-homophobic day" during matches, as the main purpose of the league is to play football.

"I believe that we are here to play football, and this is the most important thing. Everyone is free to think and do what they want. We are against all forms of discrimination, but I'm not sure that we need to hold an anti-homophobic day," Genesio said.

Toulouse Football Club commented on the incident, saying that several players were withdrawn from the squad for Sunday's Ligue 1 game against Nantes after they "expressed their disagreement with the association of their image with rainbow colors representing the LGBTQ+ movement".
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The club did not reveal names of the players who had been excluded. However, Toulouse and Morocco defender Zakaria Aboukhlal confirmed on social media that he "made the decision not to take part in [Sunday’s] game."
He explained his decision saying that although he holds "the highest regard for every individual regardless of their personal preferences", he has his own personal beliefs and principles that he is not willing to violate.
"Respect is a value that I hold in great esteem. It extends to others, but it also encompasses respect for my own personal beliefs. Hence, I don’t believe I am the most suitable person to participate in this campaign," Aboukhlal said.
Mostafa Mohamed, an Egyptian footballer who plays as a striker for French Ligue 1 club Nantes, also posted on social media explaining his reasons for not taking part in a league-wide anti-homophobia campaign.

"Given my roots, my culture, the importance of my convictions and beliefs, it was not possible for me to participate in this campaign. I hope that my decision will be respected, as well as my wish not to argue about this and that everyone is treated with respect," the footballer stated.

After the incident, Stade Brestois coach Eric Roy told media that the campaign should not have been held as the season starts, noting that some players not taking part in matches could play a decisive role since their clubs are "fighting to avoid relegation".
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