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May 17 is World Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. As in previous years, all players in France’s top two leagues wore rainbow-colored squad numbers at the weekend. But the solidarity action causes a stir. Several players refused to put on the jersey and were suspended that match day.
The French league and its clubs want their players to take responsibility for this message. Now a debate has arisen in France about whether or not to put this message literally on players’ backs.
Homophobia is not an opinion
The French players’ union UNFP defended the refusers, saying it was surprised the league and clubs used the players to send “collective messages”. Even if the organization supports the campaign, it is not the club’s job to dictate how the players behave on such issues.
FC Toulouse, in which five players did not want to participate in the campaign, according to a local newspaper, pointed out that the team represented “18 nationalities and 5 continents” and that players are hired for the club “regardless of their beliefs or beliefs”.
French government spokesman Olivier Véran (43) finds clear words for the objectors on the TV channel France 2: “It’s miserable. We have to defend values that unite us and sport is there to do that too.” For him homophobia is a crime and not an opinion. And the campaign is also about actively speaking out against it.
“We don’t ask to ride a float at Pride. We only ask you to show solidarity against homophobia,” quoted “L’Équipe” Yoann Lemaire (41), president of the Foot Ensemble Association, which fights against discrimination in football.
Player justifies his decision
A player publicly motivated his decision with Moroccan defender Zakaria Aboukhlal (23). He asked in a Twitter statement that his beliefs also be respected. Because of his values, he was not “the most suitable person to participate in this campaign”.
But Aboukhlal’s words and deeds contradict each other. After the cup victory at the end of April, he is said to have discriminated against Laurence Arribagé (52), the sports minister of the city of Toulouse. As reported by RMC Sport, he snapped at Arribagé for urging players to keep quiet during the City Hall festivities. Aboukhlal’s answer: “Women don’t talk to men like that at home.”
The club announced an investigation into the incident on Monday. Aboukhlal is suspended until it is completed. (dti)
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Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
