Action in support of the LGBT community during the match between «Toulouse» and «Nantes» turned into a scandal. Five football players have refused to take the field in a T-shirt with rainbow colors, and the French sports minister calls for players to be punished. The country is divided into two parts, and the consequences can be sad.
Attack of the French officials Last weekend in the two top divisions of French football, a rally was held in support of the LGBT movement. The players were supposed to wear jerseys with the appropriate symbols, but something did not go according to plan. A few hours before the meeting between Toulouse and Nantes, it became known that four Toulouse players refused to take part in the game under such circumstances. Later, one of the Nantes players joined them. All of them ultimately did not play in the match of the 35th round.
Among those protesting were the Moroccan striker Zakaria Aboukhlal, the Malian defender Moussa Diarra, the Algerian midfielder Fares Shaibi, the Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed, and the Dutch striker of Bosnian origin Said Hamulić. French media said that the Toulouse players announced their decision the day before the match, and the Nantes forward Mohamed — only 30 minutes before the announcement of the squad and departure to the stadium.
The meeting ended with a score of 0:0, and Nantes remained in the relegation zone, one point behind the saving 16th place. The scandal continued after the final whistle. French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castera has called for sanctions against players who refuse to wear rainbow jerseys.
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“I deeply regret that we do not have 100% of the players in France who find themselves in this message of non-discrimination. We are in a country that has always encouraged respect for others, for human rights. It is imperative that we all find ourselves in this basic message of living together. I think that clubs should have a dialogue with the players and apply sanctions,» Le Parisien quotes Oudea-Caster.
The official representative of the French Cabinet, Olivier Veran, called the incident «anachronism» and «sucks» and suggested that the country's football clubs hold explanatory conversations with the players and teach them the correct position.
«This sucks and anachronism. I read an article in which someone — it seems that the head coach said that homophobia is an opinion. No, it is a crime,» Veran said on France 2 TV channel.
Fans disagreeHowever, the opinion of politicians did not find much support among ordinary fans. A significant part of the fans did not appreciate the action in support of the LGBT community. Moreover, many were simply angry that people could not express their opinion in what is considered a democratic France.
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» Rule number four of football is very clear — there should not be any slogans, inscriptions or images of political, political, religious or personal. Therefore, the referee should penalize any player in a rainbow jersey,” wrote Les Patriotes93.
- «And they're right. Stop mixing sports with your miserable pseudo-militants. LGBT, leave us alone,» said Wil Million.
- «What is the connection between the fight against homophobia and football? We should not mix politics and sports, and everyone is free to wear what they want,» said Mims2#meythet official.
- «If we refuse to defend our civilization and principles, we will rightfully be destroyed,» wrote Matteo.
- «There are more who are not sold LGBT for their faith. Great job! » Bannata remarked.
- «It's a shame, we have to respect each other's choice,» said Pepe Fc.
Of course, some part of the fans supported initiative of French football and even called for such actions to be held every weekend in order to «reveal all homophobes.» But it is already clear that such movements cause a huge amount of negativity, which will only grow.