LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) The rainbow-shirt LGBTQ+ campaign in French football’s top two divisions is set to conclude after three years.
Initiated by France’s governing body, the LFP, in 2023 to combat homophobia in the sport, the initiative involved players wearing rainbow shirts for one matchday close to the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia on May 17 each year.
Nevertheless, the campaign, which has been surrounded by controversy, will be discontinued.
Instead, the LFP plans to concentrate on alternative methods to combat discrimination in football.
In a statement, the LFP indicated that they are preparing for days dedicated to the fight against racism in March and the fight against homophobia in May, with a meeting scheduled for mid-November to coordinate with partner associations.
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Some players have previously refused to wear rainbow shirts in protest.
Toulouse omitted players from their squad who refused to wear the special jerseys against Nantes last season.
Nantes midfielder Mostafa Mohamed also abstained from playing and was fined by his club.
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Idrissa Gueye was asked for an explanation when he missed a game in 2022 to protest the league’s support of LGBTQI+ rights.
At the time, PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino stated that the midfielder was absent for “personal reasons.”
The decision follows the issuance of one-match bans to four PSG players for participating in anti-gay chants during their match against Marseille at Parc des Princes.
Ousmane Dembele, Achraf Hakimi, Layvin Kurzawa, and Randal Kolo Muani all received sanctions and have since offered apologies.
