What is the reality of homophobia in rugby? It is by wondering about this still taboo subject in sport that the National Rugby League (LNR) launched a major study with the firm Olivier Wyman, the results of which will be revealed this Thursday in Paris. In the process, a vast awareness plan called "Plaquons l'homophobie" will be launched in the 30 clubs of Top 14 and Pro D2 with ambassadors the captain of the French Stadium Yoann Maestri and the sporting director of Racing 92, Yannick Nyanga.
What can we learn from the questionnaire, which was answered by nearly 360 professional rugby players, but also young people from training centers? First, rugby benefits from an undeniable image of inclusive sport where everyone has their place: small or big, slow or fast, everyone can express themselves in this sport. “We see the difference as a strength, we welcome the LNR. Our DNA is diversity. "
However, the survey reveals that the values carried by the discipline do not allow to speak freely of homosexuality, according to 75% of the people questioned. "And among the brakes put forward to free speech, says the League, there is the fear of different treatment in case of coming out. »Regarding the places where awareness and information campaigns would be most useful, training centers are considered a priority for 60% of those surveyed outside the stadiums (40%).
Awareness workshops implemented
To date, only one rugby player has openly revealed his homosexuality: Gareth Thomas. The Welshman, who passed through the Toulouse stadium, had nevertheless waited for the end of his career to make it public in an autobiography. "Rugby is a scary environment for a gay man," he told us. "If we can avoid the same suffering, we will have won the match", recognizes the League, which wishes to clarify that its plan planned over four years does not constitute a response to the case of Israel Folau, dismissed by the Australian federation for its homophobic, but who found work in the XIII, the Catalan Dragons of Perpignan, to the chagrin of some.
In the coming weeks, the LNR and its partner, the magazine Têtu, will leave to meet the clubs of the elite and their training center. Awareness workshops, aimed at fighting clichés and freeing up speech, will be organized. The first will be held in Brive. “There is suffering to endure in a sport that calls itself manly, admits the NRL. Expressions can come out naturally and these words should be banned. The study figures show that we have to go further to make homophobia a non-subject. "