Idrissa Gueye refuses to wear a PSG shirt against homophobia

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) wore, in this weekend's match against Montpellier, a white shirt whose numbers represented the LGTBI flag, being printed with the colors of the rainbow, on the occasion of World Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

Thomas Osborne
Thomas Osborne
18 May 2022 Wednesday 05:59
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Idrissa Gueye refuses to wear a PSG shirt against homophobia

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) wore, in this weekend's match against Montpellier, a white shirt whose numbers represented the LGTBI flag, being printed with the colors of the rainbow, on the occasion of World Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. In the call of the capital squad, the absence of midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye stood out. The coach, Mauricio Pochettino, assured that the Senegalese had no physical problem and pointed out that he did not play for "a personal reason".

According to French media such as Le Parisien or France Info, Gueye refused to wear the shirt with the colors of the LGTBI flag due to his "religious convictions", which is why he asked to be removed from a call for which he appeared in the first place, something that baffled and “saddened” his peers. Finally, he had to watch the game from the stands. PSG refused to make an official comment, but sources from the entity indicated that the club and its players "are very proud to wear that shirt." “It is an issue that will be resolved internally,” they clarified.

“Idrissa Gueye has not been with the group for individual and personal reasons, and PSG makes it known. This decision belongs to him. PSG has always been open to combating any form of discrimination and has done so again this weekend," the club explained to Le Parisien on Monday. From the entity it was also added that the player's "questionable" gesture was not very liked.

Last season, PSG, like the rest of the Ligue 1 clubs, already supported the LGTBI movement by wearing the colors of the rainbow on their numbers in a match against Reims. However, Gueye also avoided dressing her, claiming that she suffered from gastroenteritis, so she did not enter the call.

The Senegalese midfielder's decision has not gone unnoticed. Valérie Pécresse, president of the administrative region of Île de France, whose capital is Paris, not only criticized Gueye's refusal to wear the shirt, but also called for sanctions against him.

“The players of a soccer team and, particularly, those of PSG are figures with whom our young people identify. They must be an example to follow. Idrissa Gana Gueye's refusal to join the fight against homophobia cannot go unpunished!” Pécresse posted on his Twitter profile.

Speaking to Le Parisien, the French Sports Minister, Roxana Maracineanu, considered the Senegalese international's decision "regrettable", but did not want to ask for reprimands. “Now the ball is in his court. Personally, I find it regrettable that he didn't want to play. I am not going to replace his boss, it will be up to him to choose what follow-up he is going to give to this matter", he commented, to which he added: "A player can refuse to wear the shirt, we are in a democracy, but I repeat it again I find it unfortunate."

The Rouge Direct association, which fights to detect cases of homophobia in the world of sports, demanded that Gueye explain himself "very soon" and that he be punished "if necessary." "Homophobia is not an option, but a crime," he posted on social media.

From the player's environment, Le Parisien is assured that Gueye "is not homophobic", but "someone open to others". His relatives give as an example the "numerous solidarity actions" that he carries out frequently, such as the charity evening that took place last Thursday to raise funds for child victims of cancer and AIDS.


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