Published on : 18/05/2022 – 02:19
President Macky Sall wrote ” I support Idrissa Gana Gueye on Twitter, as the controversy persists after the Paris Saint-Germain player refused to play on the day against homophobia. A support that has received a wide echo in Senegal, a country that is 95% Muslim.
With our correspondent in Dakar, Charlotte Idrac
Idrissa Gana Gueye, the PSG midfielder is the target of criticism for refusing to play in Montpellier, Saturday, May 14, during the day against homophobia. On this occasion, the players wore jerseys whose numbers were in the colors of the LGBT+ flag. The Senegalese footballer had already missed the call the previous season, on the same day.
In his country, the 2022 African champion saw the controversy aimed at him spark a reaction up to the top of the state, with a tweet posted by President Macky Sall. A message of support which adds to the many others addressed to the footballer by citizens, media personalities, or political leaders of all stripes.
I support Idrissa Gana Gueye. His religious convictions must be respected.
— Macky Sall (@Macky_Sall) May 17, 2022
In the majority, after Sports Minister Matar Bâ, former Interior Minister Aly Ngouille Ndiaye, for example, hailed the ” brave choice “from the PSG player” not to wear a jersey containing signs contrary to their values and beliefs ». « Gana Gueye is not homophobic. He does not want his image to be used to promote homosexuality. leave him alone “wrote for his part the former Prime Minister and opponent, Abdoul Mbaye. In a statement on Tuesday evening, May 17, opponent Ousmane Sonko also brought ” all his support to the footballer.
More discreet, defenders of LGBT rights have denounced a “populist” reaction from the head of state, while the question of homosexuality comes up regularly in the political debate. In Senegal, “acts against nature” are punishable by up to five years in prison. Last January, the National Assembly declared « inadmissible » a bill aimed at toughening the legislation.
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