Idrissa Gana Gueye did not play in Paris Saint-win Germain’s over Montpellier on Saturday because he did not want to wear a shirt with the rainbow flag on it according to rumors in the French media.
Mauricio Pochettino’s PSG beat Montpellier 4-0 at Stade de la Mosson, with Lionel Messi scoring a brace.
Idrissa Gana Gueye, a former Everton midfielder, traveled with PSG but was not included on the team sheet, with Pochettino later admitting the player’s absence “For personal reasons, I had to leave the team sheet. However, he is unharmed “.
Gueye’s absence sparked speculation that he had missed the match because he refused to wear the LGBTQ+ community’s symbol, the rainbow flag.
As part of an initiative for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia on May 17, all Ligue 1 games last weekend featured the flag on players’ jersey numbers and captains’ armbands.
According to Get French Football News, French publications L’Équipe and Le Parisien pointed out that Gueye had missed the same round of games the previous season due to “stomach difficulties.”
Gueye’s management disputed that he skipped the game last season, but has yet to issue a statement regarding his absence on Saturday.
However, according to RMC Sport, Gueye’s absence was due to his refusal to wear a uniform with the rainbow flag on it.
PSG shared a picture of their away shirt including the rainbow flag before their game against Montpellier, which they went on to win.
“On World Day Against Homophobia, our jerseys will have the rainbow flag, a symbol of peace and diversity of the LGBT movement,” read a statement.
The uncertainty that surrounded Gueye’s absence the previous weekend will serve as an unwelcome diversion for PSG as they get ready for the season’s final match.
On Saturday, they play Metz at the Parc des Princes.
