Not only in Israel. Several Toulouse players were pulled out of the squad for Sunday's match against Nantes after refusing to wear Pride shirts for a campaign in support of the LGBT community.
Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 players were asked over the weekend to wear shirts with rainbow numbers as a tribute to the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on Wednesday. "Several players from the squad have expressed their disapproval of associating their image with the rainbow colours representing the LGBT movement," Toulouse said in a statement, "respecting the personal choices of its players, and after an exchange, Toulouse Football Club has chosen to leave said players out of the game."
Toulouse and Morocco defender Zakaria Abuhal said he did not want to take part in the game. "I have made the decision not to take part in today's game," he wrote on Twitter. "Respect is a value I value very much. It reaches out to others, but it also includes respect for my personal beliefs, so I don't believe I'm the best person to participate in this campaign."
🚨 At least five footballers from Toulouse FC and Nantes FC dropped out of the Ligue 1 game between each other after refusing to wear colours promoting LGBT on their shirts. pic.twitter.com/20opAvrgxL
— suleimansultan (@suleimansultan) May 15, 2023
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Brest coach Eric Roy said the campaign should not have taken place at the end of the season, arguing that some players who do not take part could play a crucial role as the club struggles against relegation. "You can see that there are players who have a problem with that. Everyone is free to express their opinion. I personally don't have a problem with that, but there are players who might have a problem with it. You have to time the campaign while it won't affect the teams and the survival struggles that way."
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