Free speech or homophobia? French soccer dips into the scrum.

Last month, French professional soccer players were tasked with a simple mission: wear a jersey with a rainbow-colored number during a match, to mark May 17, the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. Before each of their matches, players from the 40 participating Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs stood before cameras behind a wide banner reading, “Gay or straight, we all wear the same jersey.”

But what was intended to be a small act against discrimination turned into a controversy after several players refused to participate on the grounds that it went against their personal beliefs. While some who refused stayed silent, others took to social media to ask for understanding.

“Given my roots, my. “I hope that my decision will be respected.”