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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