The Professional Football League kicked off a mobilization campaign against homophobia on Thursday, May 12, with the launch of a video clip on social networks. In collaboration with the Foot Ensemble, Panamboyz & Girlz United and SOS Homophobia associations, awareness-raising actions for players and supporters will be organized on the occasion of the 37th day of Ligue 1 and 38th day of Ligue 2, ahead of the world day against homophobia on May 17.
“No longer having to hide his homosexuality is played out together. We will support players who decide to come out.” indicates the clip. In the video, broadcast by the LFP and supported by the UNFP, the French players’ union, Adil Rami (Troyes), Paul Bernardoni (Saint-Etienne) and Yannick Cahuzac (Lens) staged. Nice coach Christophe Galtier and referee Amaury Delerue also appear on the screen. Finally, Olivier Rouyer, one of the few French footballers to have revealed his homosexuality to the general public in 2008, also makes an appearance.
Gay or straight, we all wear the same jersey
For the 4th consecutive season, the @LFPfr and the 40 clubs of @Ligue1UberEats and of @Ligue2BKT mobilize to fight against homophobia on all fronts#17May️#Let’sPlayTheCollective pic.twitter.com/BwVSZJq0Yy
— Professional Football League (@LFPfr) May 12, 2022
“There are too few examples of footballers who have dared to take the plunge”deplores the 2018 world champion Adil Rami, quoted in the LFP press release. “It’s missing for the world of football, but also for all these young people who are going through difficult cases of conscience. We have a role to play for them, to help our society grow, including in this regard.” Since 2019, the LFP has held dedicated days to raise awareness among all football players.
Like last season, the jerseys of the 40 professional teams will be flocked with a number in rainbow colors, a symbol of the LGBT movement. They will then be auctioned for the benefit of partner associations.
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