It is a scourge that the National Rugby League (NRL) wants to eradicate. "Let's tackle homophobia": this is the watchword of the LNR, which, associated with the magazine dedicated to the stubborn LGBT news , launched this Thursday a four-year plan. A first in a sport where, so far, only a renowned player, the former Welsh international Gareth Thomas, came out ten years ago.
Stop homophobic insults on the ground
The first pillar that the NRL intends to bring down is insults and jokes of a homophobic nature "that we use like that, without thinking, and without being aware of their scope", details at the microphone of Europe 1 the president of the League, Paul Goze. Pointing that these practices are not limited to the world of sport, but "that they are used everywhere and commonly", the latter believes that the process will be "very long".
An observation shared by Yannick Nyanga, ex-international and sports director of Racing 92, sponsor of this operation with Yoann Maestri, player of the Stade Français, with 65 selections in Blues. Recalling that he had in his career "heard words that may have struck" homosexuals, he intends to free speech and make sexual orientation "a non-subject (...), and that everyone feels free to do what he wants. "
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Free speech
Second pillar of the plan: a series of workshops led by Têtu magazine managers organized with the 30 clubs of Top 14 and Pro D2, including players from training centers, club presidents and coaches. A championship day will also be dedicated to the fight against homophobia in May.
An initiative taken while a study conducted by the firm Olivier Wyman with approximately 380 professional players shows that almost 75% of them find it difficult to talk about homosexuality in the community.