President of Senegal, Macky Sall has defended Teranga Lions and PSG midfielder, Idrissa Gueye over his refusal to wear a jersey bearing rainbow colours in support of the LGBTQ community.
Gueye refused to wear a PSG jersey during the weekend as its numbers were made from the rainbow colours used to identify the LGBTQ community.
Le Parisiens manager, Mauricio Pochettino said the player wasn’t in the matchday squad due to personal reasons but PSG officials have stated the reason the player wasn’t involved.
Gueye claimed that homosexuality, which the jersey was to promote is against his beliefs as a Muslim. The rainbow move was a leaguewide effort.
PSG and the player have courted mixed reactions from members of the gay community as they raised concerns about their safety in the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
PSG are owned by Qataris who have a strong presence in the organisation of the first World Cup to be held in the Middle East.
On Tuesday, global events marking the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia were held with the jerseys symbolising the league’s support.
Senegal President Sall was in defense of his countryman’s actions and said his religious convictions must be respected.
Same sex acts are illegal in Senegal where conservative groups have torched rainbow flags and protested against homosexuality.
Homosexuality and its approval is still a major topic across Sub-Saharan Africa, and Senegal being a Muslim-dominated country has had a strong objection to its practice.