Kouyate, Sarr receive backlash for backing ‘real man’ Gueye over alleged LGBTQ snub
Cheikhou Kouyate and Ismaila Sarr have received backlash after appearing to back Idrissa Gueye’s reported decision to refuse to wear rainbow colours for PSG.
Gueye did not feature for the Ligue 1 champions on Saturday when players wore special shirts in an expression of solidarity to mark the upcoming International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, on May 17.
Rangers have overachieved by reaching Europa League final…but Frankfurt are not a step too far
PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino confirmed his absence was due to ‘personal reasons’, with French outlet RMC Sport reporting that the former Everton man did not want to represent his team in rainbow colours.
Gueye has now seemingly been backed by his Senegal teammates, Kouyate and Sarr.
Watford winger Sarr posted a picture of himself with Gueye on Instagram, with a fist emoji, three heart emojis and the words: “100 per cent”.
Crystal Palace’s Kouyate also appeared to show his support by uploading to Instagram, calling Gueye a “real man”, whilst adding “we wholeheartedly support you brother”.
Sarr’s post – which has since been deleted – sparked lots of criticism with some fans calling for the player to be sold.
Football is for everyone. 🏳️🌈
We totally condemn the actions by Ismaïla Sarr this evening and are fully expecting the club to take action on the matter.#watfordfc pic.twitter.com/FXB949s4Zr
— TheWatfordWay (@thewatfordway) May 17, 2022
Kouyate, on the other hand, is out of contract at the end of this season and many fans have urged Palace to remove the 32-year-old from their squad.
Gueye’s alleged refusal to support the LGBTQ movement came two days before Blackpool youngster Jake Daniels became the United Kingdom’s first active male footballer to come out as gay.
The PSG midfielder also missed a match last year on a day dedicated to the fight against homophobia.
Senegal’s President Macky Sall tweeted on Tuesday: “I support Idrissa Gana Gueye. His religious beliefs must be respected.”
In Gueye’s home country homosexuality is widely considered unacceptable and acts between people of the same sex are punishable by one to five years in prison.