Ligue 1 Players Refuse to Support Anti-Homophobia Initiative

Ligue 1's anti-homophobia campaign sparks controversy as some players refuse to participate, citing personal or religious reasons.

A Ligue 1 initiative against homophobia failed to gain traction with some players, leading to controversy. The campaign, aimed at promoting solidarity, was undermined when players refused to wear anti-homophobia symbols.

Lyon's Nemanja Matic and Le Havre's Ahmed Hassan were among those who concealed the league's insignia during matches. The situation worsened when a homophobic slur was reportedly heard in a stadium tunnel, and one player even boycotted his team's game in protest.

Nantes forward Mostafa Mohamed refused to play in his team's match against Montpellier, citing personal convictions. This marks the third time the Egyptian international has opted out of the anti-homophobia campaign.

The situation escalated when Lens defender Jonathan Gradit allegedly used a homophobic slur in the tunnel during halftime in their game against Monaco. France's new sports minister, Marie Barsacq, responded to the incidents, calling for decisive action to address the issue.

“Football has a massive platform, and the (French Football) Federation is determined to put this issue on the clubs' and supporters' agenda,” Barsacq said.

Lyon midfielder Nemanja Matic has come under fire after appearing to cover an anti-homophobia logo on his shirt during a league game.

French clubs customised their kits with a rainbow patch for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.

Monaco's… pic.twitter.com/WOckzX00ZX

— DW Sports (@dw_sports) May 19, 2025

“Homophobic insults and behaviour are no longer acceptable. Society has evolved, and the language in football must change with it. There's a full range of sanctions available, and they must be applied.”

Ligue 1 had planned a show of solidarity against homophobia, with players set to wear rainbow-colored symbols and stadiums displaying supportive messages. However, participation was uneven, with some players opting out due to personal or religious reasons.

Notably, former French international Antoine Griezmann had spoken out in support of LGBTQ+ inclusion, saying six years ago, “If a gay player wants to come out, he might not have all the France players with him, but he will have me.” Despite this, some players, like Nantes' Mostafa Mohamed, chose not to participate, sparking controversy.

Nice full-back Jonathan Clauss expressed pessimism about the fight against homophobia, saying it's a “never-ending fight” due to differing opinions. Clauss noted, “I think it's a never-ending fight, because there will never be 100% of people who agree (with the fight against homophobia). And the very fact that there's a debate is a problem.”