Homophobia in football: in Senegal, many supporters for Idrissa Gueye
Senegalese Idrissa Gana Gueye, in the foreground, in the colors of PSG against Bruges in the Champions League, December 7, 2021. AP - Christophe Ena
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
President Macky Sall wrote "
I support Idrissa Gana Gueye
" on Twitter, as the controversy persists after the Paris Saint-Germain player refused to play on the day against homophobia.
A support that has received a wide echo in Senegal, a country that is 95% Muslim.
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With our correspondent in Dakar,
Charlotte Idrac
Idrissa Gana Gueye, the PSG midfielder is the
target of criticism for refusing to play in Montpellier
, Saturday May 14, during the day against homophobia.
On this occasion, the players wore jerseys whose numbers were in the colors of the LGBT+ flag.
The Senegalese footballer had already missed the call the previous season, on the same day.
In his country, the 2022 African champion saw the controversy aimed at him provoke a reaction up to the top of the state, with a tweet posted by President Macky Sall.
A message of support which adds to the many others addressed to the footballer by citizens, media personalities, or political leaders of all stripes.
I support Idrissa Gana Gueye.
His religious convictions must be respected.
— Macky Sall (@Macky_Sall) May 17, 2022
In the majority, after the Minister of Sports Matar Bâ, the former Minister of the Interior Aly Ngouille Ndiaye, for example, welcomed the "
courageous choice
" of the PSG player "
not to wear a shirt containing signs contrary to its values and beliefs
.
“
Gana Gueye is not homophobic.
He does not want his image to be used to promote homosexuality.
Leave him alone
, ”wrote for his part the former Prime Minister and opponent, Abdoul Mbaye.
In a statement Tuesday, May 17 in the evening, the opponent Ousmane Sonko also gave "
all his support
" to the footballer.
More discreet, defenders of LGBT rights have denounced a "populist" reaction from the head of state, while the question of homosexuality comes up regularly in the political debate.
In Senegal, “acts against nature” are punishable by up to five years in prison.
Last January, the National Assembly had declared
"
inadmissible
" a bill aimed at toughening the legislation
.
► To read also: African football: Eudy Simelane, gay icon with a tragic destiny
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