Idrissa Gueye, a midfielder for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), reportedly refused to play in Saturday’s Ligue 1 match against Montpellier because he did not want to wear the team’s customized LGBT rainbow shirt.
PSG wore a special edition of their white away jersey with rainbow-coloured numbers on the back of all shirts in support of the upcoming International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia on Tuesday, May 17.
Gueye, a former Everton and Aston Villa player, was absent from the game due to ‘personal reasons,’ according to his manager Mauricio Pochettino.
When asked about Gueye’s absence after the 4-0 win over Montpellier, Mauricio Pochettino said: “Idrissa made the trip to Montpellier, but for personal reasons, he had to leave the match sheet. But he was not injured.”
Gueye refused to join the team because he didn’t want to wear a shirt with rainbow colours, according to RMC Sport in France.
He also missed a similar commemorative match on the same weekend last year due to gastroenteritis, according to PSG.
Gueye, 32, is a devoted Muslim who uses his social media channels to communicate messages about his faith.
Homosexuality is forbidden and possibly punishable by death in some Islamic nations.
