the LFP unites its campaigns against racism and homophobia

The Professional Football League (LFP) will launch two days of “education and action” against discrimination, against racism this weekend and against homophobia on May 17 and 18.

One and the same message “Let’s get rid of racism!” The Professional Football League (LFP) has decided to unite its campaign against racism, this weekend (27th day), and that against homophobia, for the last days of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 on May 17 and 18 , indicated the body Thursday March 28 in a press release.

During the matches of the 27th day of Ligue 1 and the 30th day of Ligue 2, all players will wear a special jersey with a specific logo, symbol of the commitment against racism and competition badges, usually in color, will change to black and white. “Referees, coaches and delegates will wear a special armband, while all officials and journalists will be invited to wear a pin,” details the press release.

Protocol panel, giant tarpaulin, LED panels serving the campaign

The same jerseys will be used for the 34th and final day of Ligue 1 as well as the 38th and final day of Ligue 2, with the L1 and L2 acronyms in rainbow on the badges. “All protocol elements [drapeaux compétitions et poteaux de corners entre autres] will switch to black and white, and a protocol sign ‘Let’s get rid of racism’ will also be highlighted”, specifies the LFP. Before the start of Ligue 1 matches, a giant tarpaulin, on which the word “racism” will be crossed out in favor of the word football, will be deployed over the central circle. For the last day, the word “homophobia” will be crossed out. “Throughout the matches, the LED panels around the pitch will also broadcast a message using the logo of this anti-racism campaign,” adds the press release.

Last season, the day dedicated to the fight against homophobia sparked controversy, with several players refusing to wear the jersey with LGBT colors such as Toulouse’s Zakaria Aboukhlal, Moussa Diarra and Saïd Hamulic or Nantes’ Mostafa Mohamed. “We only remembered the controversies”, regrets Yoann Lemaire, from the Foot ensemble association to justify the change in campaign method.

Already 74 awareness workshops conducted

In addition to these annual communication campaigns, the LFP has been organizing, since November 2021, throughout the year, awareness workshops on the fight against discrimination, in particular against homophobia, racism and anti-Semitism in all areas. professional clubs.

Seventy-four workshops were organized in 27 clubs for players, managers and supporters. The next ones will take place in April in Brest, Toulouse (L1) and Grenoble (L2). Since 2020, the League has included the fight against discrimination in its statutes, which makes it easier for it to become a civil party before the courts each time a criminal act is brought to justice.