Ligue 1 latest news: Controversy sparks as some players reject anti-homophobia campaign support
There has been some controversy in France’s primary football league when a number of players declined to participate in a demonstration of solidarity against homophobia that was planned for the weekend. The French Professional League, which oversees the sport domestically, had requested that Ligue 1 players wear jerseys with rainbow-colored numbers during their matches over the weekend in advance of the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia on Wednesday.
The National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP) stated that it is not the responsibility of players to communicate “group messages” and expressed surprise that clubs would request them to do so.
Toulouse excluded those players who refused to wear the team’s shirt. However, Zakaria Aboukhlal, the club’s defender from Morocco, justified his decision to not participate in the campaign.
“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,” he wrote on Twitter.
The action was deemed “disastrous” by Brest’s coach Eric Roy, which received negative feedback on various social media platforms.
“You can see that there are players who have a problem with it. Everyone is free to express their opinions. Personally, I have no problem with it. But there are players who may have a problem with it,” he said.
He expressed his disapproval of organizing the campaign during a period when players were struggling to avoid being relegated. Bruno Genesio, his counterpart from Rennes, stated that although he was against discrimination, he was uncertain about the effectiveness of having a day against homophobia.
The Sports Minister, Amelie Oudea-Castera, supported the campaign amidst the controversy.
“I think it is the responsibility of the clubs to take sanctions,” she said. “During such an operation, which involves all the clubs on the basic subject of non-discrimination, you have to show up.”
The LFP and FFF have remained silent on the matter. During the previous year’s World Cup held in Qatar, FIFA warned seven European teams that they would face penalties if they wore the “One Love” armband, which represents inclusivity and acceptance.
