PARIS (Reuters) - France's top soccer league was caught up in storm on Monday after several players refused to take part in a gesture of support against homophobia at the weekend.
The French Professional League , the sports' domestic governing body, had called for Ligue 1 players to wear a shirt with a rainbow-coloured number on the back at this weekend's matches ahead of Wednesday's International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.The National Union of Professional Footballers said it was not up to the players to convey"collective messages". It was astonished that clubs should ask them to do so, it said in a statement.
"Respect is a value that I hold in great esteem. It extends to others, but it also encompasses respect for my own personal beliefs. Hence, I don't believe I am the most suitable person to participate in this campaign," he wrote on Twitter. "You can see that there are players who have a problem with it. Everyone is free to express their opinions. Personally, I have no problem with it. But there are players who may have a problem with it," he said.
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