LFP to scrap anti-homophobia rainbow shirts

According to RMC Sport, the LFP are set to scrap the annual rainbow shirts, which has been a part of Ligue 1’s anti-homophobia campaign in recent seasons. 

For the past three seasons, Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 players have, for one matchday per season, worn a rainbow shirt. It has been part of an anti-homophobia campaign, however, it is set to be scrapped, beginning this season. The LFP are considering different ways to continue the fight against homophobia. Many, but not all, of the associations linked to the LFP agree with the decision. 

Last season, many players refused to wear the rainbow shirt, which is worn on the gameweek closest to the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (17th May). Players such as former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Idrissa Gueye have previously refused to wear the shirt. Many players, including Toulouse FC’s Zakaria Aboukhlal and FC Nantes’ Mostafa Mohamed, refused to wear the shirt in 2023. This season, PSG and Stade Rennais have both been sanctioned by the LFP for homophobic chanting. 

The LFP have since released a statement saying that they are “currently preparing for the days dedicated to the fight against racism in March, and then the fight against homophobia next May. A meeting is scheduled for mid-November with the partner associations to prepare these two days.”

GFFN | Luke Entwistle