“It remains a very small minority”, the LFP responds to the controversies over its “rainbow” campaign

2023-05-17 13:29:58

His word was expected. She arrived this Wednesday, three days after the start of the controversy. The Professional Football League has published a press release signed by general manager Arnaud Rouger to take stock of the annual day against homophobia, organized on May 13 and 14. This event was marked by the boycott of several players, in particular several Toulouse residents and a Nantes player, and by, in the hours that followed, some coaches questioning the relevance of this operation or its “timing”.

“756 players were present on the match sheets this weekend. We know that some players have not worn the jersey. This day is a day to highlight a cause that is important to us. It remains a very small minority, we know that it is difficult and that we take blows, ”writes the DG. Without going into controversy and responding to anyone, Arnaud Rougier recalled the different axes of his work. Communication with the general public via this type of initiative, the inclusion of the fight against homophobia in the statutes, and the “much more difficult” work of raising awareness in the field. “Going to the clubs is a day, we have done 28 but it is endless. The players renew themselves, they must be trained constantly with our partner associations and members of the LFP. »

Soon a stadium ban in the event of homophobic acts

Sunday evening, Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra called on clubs to sanction players who refuse to participate in this type of initiative. What Toulouse FC did not do, unlike FC Nantes. Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed was sanctioned “financially but not sportingly” by his club, which decided to donate the sum in question to the association “SOS Homophobia”.

The Rouge Direct association also published a press release on Wednesday. She welcomed the fact that Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra wanted to “integrate homophobia into the grounds for judicial stadium bans” and “systematize the filing of complaints”. Announcements which must be formalized during the day, according to The Obs. On the other hand, she deplores that the political and federal authorities do not push for the cessation of meetings in the event of homophobic acts.