Wayne Lumbasi
Idrissa Gueye faced criticism after he missed a game rather than wear a shirt designed to support an anti-homophobia initiative.
The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Gueye has been ordered by the French football federation’s ethics board to answer the accusations.
Gueye travelled with his teammates to Saturday’s French league game but did not play, with PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino citing “personal reasons” to justify his absence.
The media and football fans are reluctant to believe the statement released by the head coach. They believe Idrissa skipped the match because he did not want to wear the jersey with a rainbow flag 🏳️🌈 – a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community.
For the second consecutive season, Ligue 1 clubs were invited to label their players’ shirts with colored numbers using the rainbow flag.
Gueye’s PSG team-mate Abdou Diallo and compatriot Kalidou Koulibaly, a center back for Napoli, also used social media to support him. Gueye has also received widespread backing in his home country, including from the president Macky Sall.
On Twitter the nation’s president acknowledged that Gueye’s Muslim views have to be revered, whereas sports activities minister Matar Ba acknowledged that Gueye has the help of the folks of his nation, with a photograph of the midfielder on a pilgrimage to Mecca. Homosexuality is illegal in Senegal and punishable by a jail sentence.
