French soccer club excludes players after they refuse to participate. When Toulouse’s Ligue 1 match versus Nantes was scheduled for Sunday, some players were left off the roster because they refused to participate in a league-wide anti-homophobia campaign.
ON SUNDAY, Toulouse FC released a statement stating that “some players of the professional squad have expressed their disagreement regarding the association of their image with the rainbow colors representing the LGBT movement.”
The Ligue 1 team continued, “Despite respecting the individual choices of its players and following several discussions, the Toulouse Football team has decided to withdraw these individuals from the game.
To draw attention to this Wednesday’s International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, teams competing in France’s top two divisions were encouraged to wear rainbow-colored jerseys and raise banners.
However, Moroccan international Zakaria Aboukhlal acknowledged on social media that he “decided not to participate in today’s [Sunday’s] game.” Toulouse FC did not identify the players they had omitted.
French soccer club excludes players after they refuse to participate
I want to clarify that I have the utmost respect for every person, regardless of their preferences, gender, religion, or heritage. This is a fundamental idea that has to be emphasized, Aboukhlal stated.
“I hold the value of respect in the highest regard. It includes respect for my own personal views as well as respect for others. As a result, I don’t think I’m the best candidate to participate in this campaign.
Toulouse, now ranked 13th in the league, drew 0-0 with Nantes on Sunday.
Mostafa Mohamed, an Egyptian player for Nantes, offered an explanation of his decision to sit out the game and the campaign on social media on Sunday.
Mohamed tweeted, “I don’t want to dispute at all, but I have to voice my opinion.
“I honor every difference. I hold respect for all convictions and beliefs. This regard is not only for other people but also for my own convictions.
“I could not participate in this campaign because of my origins, my culture, and the significance of my views and values. I hope that everyone will be treated with respect and that my decision and my desire not to dispute this will be honored.
Nantes announced in a statement that it has chosen to financially penalize Mohamed for refusing to play “at a time when FC Nantes is fighting to stay in Ligue 1.”
According to the statement, “FC Nantes and its foundation wish to donate this money to the association SOS Homophobie which fights against homophobia on a daily basis and will be able to put it to good use to combat this scourge.”
The threats made against Mostafa Mohamed and his family before and after the game was also strongly denounced by FC Nantes.
