In opposition to a campaign against homophobia and in front of their respective religious doctrine, five Muslim football players in France’s top division, the Ligue 1, refused to roll onto the field to play the beautiful game in the Sunday match between Toulouse FC and Nantes.
The organizers claimed that the league had scheduled the games between Ligue 1 and 2 as a campaign against homophobia, with the numbers on the backs of players’ t-shirts being written in rainbow colors as a symbol of the LGBT cause.
The members of the Toulouse club found the gesture offensive, but had no choice but to call off the game in order to demonstrate their disgust.
Zakaria Aboukhlal, Moussa Diarra, Fares Chaibi, Said Hamulic for Tolouse, and Nantes Mostafa Mohamed are among the players who declined to participate. Logan Costa and Chaibi of Tolouse also did not want to play, despite both being named on the list.
Mohamed, who is a member of the Egyptian national team, declined to put on the shirt and opted to remain in the hotel throughout the 0-0 draw-game.
Later on, he said that he didn’t want to dispute at all but rather wanted to stand by the depraved practice of homosexuality.
“I respect all diversity, as well as all convictions and opinions. This respect involves respect for my own personal convictions in addition to respect for others”, he added.
Mohamed claims that it was difficult for him to take part in such a campaign because of his culture and the significance of his convictions and views, which is in line with his perspective.
Aboukhalal, a Moroccan player, acknowledged that he took the difficult choice with clarity of thought.
“First and foremost, I firmly believe that every person deserves the utmost respect, regardless of their preferences, gender, religion, or heritage. This is a fundamental idea that has to be stressed, Aboukhlal stated.
He continued by saying that while respect is a value he holds in high regard and extends to others, it also includes respect for his personal convictions, and he questioned if he was the best qualified player to take part in the league campaign.
According to the Toulouse statement, “players of the professional team have expressed their displeasure with the linkage of their image with the rainbow colors signifying the LGBT movement.
After lengthy discussions and respecting the individual decisions of its players, Toulouse FC made the decision to bench the aforementioned players from the contest.
