As if freed from a weight.
“For five years, I lived totally hidden.
With nothing in terms of social life.
” Living his homosexuality in the world of football is not easy, and Nicolas Pottier knows it well.
The former referee, who officiated in Ligue 1 from 2005, has just come out, like Blackpool footballer Jake Daniels.
It was delivered to
Ouest-France
.
"It's been eating at me for ten years," he says.
But I needed an angle of attack, an opportunity.
She came with a topical question, on the Gana Gueye affair.
I had tweeted to condemn his attitude, a journalist called me.
I thought it was time… I just think it can help things along.
Help those who are going through the same thing as me, but don't dare to express it.
»
A coming out that sparked various reactions, “but above all thousands of positive relays on social networks”, insists Nicolas Pottier, who received a phone call from the secretary general of the federation, Laura Georges.
“This may help the Fed… We needed a No. 1, someone who gets started.
I did it.
I made mistakes, I erased them.
I am not afraid.
I freed myself from a weight.
“And to conclude with words that speak for themselves: “I feel good about myself.
I feel strong.
»
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