There is only one round left in the French championship until the end of the 2021/22 season. PSG officially formalized the championship on April 23, so the only intrigue for the Russian audience in Ligue 1 is whether Alexander Golovin’s Monaco can stay in second place and qualify for the Champions League.
However, an interesting thing happened in the penultimate round of the championship – PSG midfielder Idrissa Geye refused to participate in the game with Montpellier. This is because of the number of rainbow colors on the T-shirts dedicated to the International Day Against Homophobia.
Geye refused to be included in the match offer. He did the same exactly a year ago when the same promotion was held in Ligue 1. Then he referred to an attack of gastroenteritis. Since Idrissa is a Muslim, her refusal to participate in such events is easily understandable. Moreover, PSG had long ago completed the task of the season in the championship and the team without Geye calmly defeated their opponent with a score of 4:0.
In France, however, the Senegalese decision caused mixed reactions. LGBT Sports Federation President Eric Arassus demanded that the football player be punished:
“He’s a great player whose talent we recognize. However, religious issues should not interfere with sports where homophobia is unacceptable. All French football players, including Geye’s partners, took part in this action. It is important that he is punished now, PSG should do that. He may need to take courses on LGBT issues. This is a It’s not a question of religion – after all, others participate in these types of matches. We are aware that it is homophobic for a player to miss the game for various reasons such as gastroenteritis. It does a lot of harm.”
Rouge Direct, another French association against homophobia in sports, tweeted that Gueye needed to explain the reasons for his decision: “Homophobia is not an opinion, it’s a crime, the League and PSG should ask Gan Gueye to explain as soon as possible. And punish if necessary.
However, not everyone is of this opinion. Many fans on social networks write that Geye has the right to religious beliefs.
“I support Idriss Gan Guye. Senegalese President Macky Sall wrote that his religious beliefs should be respected.
The scandal unfolds against the backdrop of the Ligue 1 leadership’s struggle with homophobic chants against football players and coaches in stadiums. Three years ago, the French league launched an action plan to enable viewers to report sexist, homophobic or racist incidents they witnessed.
It is still unknown whether Geya faces any penalties for his decision.
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