Washington (AFP)

The new title of the Americans won Sunday, covering a selection now four-time world champion of football, is also a victory for lesbian players, who proudly displayed their orientation, still taboo in the world of football.

"Go homosexuals!" Exclaimed the attacking Megan Rapinoe, sacred Sunday best player and scorer of the World Cup, after its double that has eliminated France in the quarter-final (2-1).

"You can not win a title without homosexuals on your team, it's never been done, it's scientifically proven!" She continued in a facetious tone.

A statement in the form of a provocative joke, but not only, analyzes Dawn Ennis, one of the leaders of Outsports, a sports media specializing in the issue of sexual minorities.

Having players who assume their homosexuality is good for a team, she assures: "When you are yourselves, that you are true, it makes you better." Do not have to think about the secret you need hiding makes you a better athlete ".

Football federations "have to make sure that players can be themselves - it's in their own interest, so they do not worry" and can focus on their matches, says Ryan Adams, president of the North American Gay Soccer Association, which promotes the inclusion of LGBTQ in football in the United States.

Megan Rapinoe is not the only one of "Team USA" to live openly his homosexuality. In addition to coach Jill Ellis, five US women world champions are lesbians, including Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger who are in a relationship and will soon be married.

The Dutch, unfortunate finalists of the World Cup, also counted five homosexuals in their workforce.

In total, according to the score of Outsports, forty players who participated in the competition are LGBTQ.

"It increases and it will continue," promises Ryan Adams. "They showed other people and athletes who did not come out that you can be yourself and play with the best." In terms of visibility, it's fantastic.

- Where are the men? -

In addition, the 2019 edition was the most publicized in the history of the Women's World Cup and was held during "Pride Month", the month of homosexual pride around the world, as noted Rapinoe after the victory against France: "People like me, who fight for the same things as me, motivate me (...) So yes, be gay and be sensational at the World Cup during the month of pride." is nice".

"What is beautiful is that these women who have come out (reveal their homosexuality, Ed) are not just + out +, they are + out + and proud and strong! They fully assume their identity and their orientation", details Dawn Ennis.

Would American society be ready to totally accept homosexual players? Ryan Adams thinks it's on track, even though stereotypes still remain.

"In the United States we always say unfortunately that the very good athletes are lesbians, it's wrong and unfair".

For the men, the observation is unfortunately different, as the comments on the social networks, the songs in the stadiums or the indignant reactions often show when players like Antoine Griezmann make the front page of magazines like "Stubborn".

"For men who present themselves as homosexuals, there is always this idea that we are weaker and less masculine," says Ryan Adams.

"We know that there are gay or bisexual athletes, but it is double standards", compared to women, confirms Dawn Ennis.

The number of professional footballers still in activity having come out around the world is easily counted on the fingers of one hand.

None of them were at the World Cup last summer.

? 2019 AFP