At the beginning of November, the “Rouge direct” collective had already suspended its activities due to death threats and a massive homophobic cyber harassment campaign. Then he was interviewed on November 8 before the parliamentary commission of inquiry. Julien Pontes, spokesperson for the collective, then explained the reasons for this decision and questioned the responsibility of the Minister of Sports, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra.
From now on, “Rouge Direct” has decided to permanently cease all activity. “The unacceptable gap between the words (of Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra) on zero tolerance against homophobia, and her anecdotal actions against this scourge that kills, will have just highlighted the resignation of the State in its obligations to protect the LGBT minority,” said “Rouge direct” in a press release.
The collective charges the FFF and the LFP
“We will not insist on the total and culpable inaction of the FFF and the LFP. Their unforgivable responsibility in the trivialization of homophobia in football is now notorious,” accuses the collective.
On October 14, reacting to homophobic chants during PSG-Marseille on September 24 and during Rennes-Nantes on October 1, the minister and these two authorities announced times for discussions with supporters, awareness workshops (that the LFP has already been organizing for several years) or even the designation of referents within supporter groups.
Julien Pontes, co-founder of the “Rouge direct” collective, who participated in a meeting with the minister at the end of the summer, told AFP “that he was stunned by the lack of support” after the death threats he received. and other activists received. “We are stopping our activities which only bring us dangers,” he regretted.
“Football should be a great celebration, I am from the Platini generation, my idol… The 1998 victory (of France in the World Cup) was a hope for national unity which also speaks to a discriminated gay man, but this promise was not kept,” added Julien Pontes.
2023-11-14 22:21:04
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