PSG player criticized for missing anti-homophobia day game

An organization fighting homophobia in soccer has asked Paris Saint-Germain and the French league for Idrissa Guieye’s explanation. Gueye was reported to have missed a game last Wednesday because he didn’t want to wear a rainbow-colored jersey.

The Senegal midfielder, along with his teammates, traveled to Montpellier last Saturday for Saturday’s French league match in the southern city. However, Mauricio Pochettino, the PSG coach, excused his absence by citing “personal reasons”.

The country’s professional clubs were invited to label their players’ shirts using colored numbers and the rainbow flag as a symbol of the LGBTQ movement, for the second season.

A person who was directly familiar with the matter said that Gueye didn’t play because he didn’t want to wear a rainbow-colored shirt. Because the player has not commented publicly on the matter, the person spoke under anonymity.

French radio RMC first reported the reasons Gueye missed the match.

The Rouge Direct group saidA tweet by PSG stated that the league and PSG should not exclude the possibility to sanction Gueye.

The group stated that homophobia is not an opinion, but a crime. said.

France and Senegal have both made the case a political topic.

Macky Sall, the President of Senegal tweeted his support for Gueye. His religious convictions should be respected.

Gueye was also supported by Abdoul Mbaye, the country’s former prime Minister. He said that Gueye is not homophobic. He doesn’t want to see his image used for homosexuality. He is not to be disturbed.

Senegal has a law that criminalizes homosexual relationships. This can lead to up to five year imprisonment.

Valerie Pecresse (conservative candidate in the French presidential elections last month) joined the criticisms of Gueye.

On Twitter, she wrote, “The players in a soccer club and PSG are the identification figures for our young children.” They have a responsibility to be an example. Idrissa Gana Gueye’s refusal to join the fight against homophobia cannot be ignored without sanction!”

L’Equipe reported that Gueye missed the match last year when all teams wore the rainbow shirts. They cited a bout gastroenteritis.

Many soccer officials and club officials have long tolerated homophobic chants heard at French league matches. However, they have not found the right ways to address the problem. Three years ago, however, the French league created an action plan that allows spectators to report any homophobic, sexist or racist incidents.

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Babacar Dione, AP journalist, contributed to this report.