Known As A Devout Muslim, Idrissa Gueye Refuses To Wear A Shirt To Support LGBT In The PSG Vs Montpellier Match
JAKARTA - Senegal's Idrissa Gueye did not participate in Paris Saint-Germain's 4-1 victory over Montpellier in Ligue 1 last weekend.
French media reported that the midfielder missed his club's win on Saturday because he refused to play in a shirt that promoted homosexuality.
Gueye is known as a devout Muslim. He was part of the PSG squad against Montpellier but was absent from their team roster.
Quoted from Pundit Arena on Tuesday, PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino later revealed that the player "had to leave the team for personal reasons. But he wasn't injured."
All Ligue 1 matches last weekend featured the LGBTQ+ flag on player shirt numbers and armbands as part of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.
"On World Day Against Homophobia, our jerseys will have a rainbow flag, a symbol of peace and the diversity of the LGBT movement," PSG said before the match.
Gueye missed the same round of matches last season. But, at that time, he had stomach problems.
Gueye's spokesman denied the midfielder boycotted games last season. However, so far, he has not released a statement regarding his absence on Saturday.
Gueye, 32, started his career in Senegal before joining French side Lille. He then moved to England with Aston Villa and Everton.
In 2019, Gueye returned to France by signing a contract with defending Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Gueye made his debut for Senegal in 2011. In 2018, he played for Senegal in the FIFA World Cup. Gueye helped his country win the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.