Hakimi Wears Alicia Jersey: Why Ligue 1 Players Wear Names of Discrimination Victims
Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi wore a jersey bearing the name “Alicia” during Ligue 1’s match against Angers on Saturday, April 25, 2026, as part of a league-wide initiative to combat discrimination. The PSG star was among dozens of players across France’s top two divisions who replaced their surnames with the first names of individuals who have faced racism, sexism, homophobia, or antisemitism.
The initiative, launched by the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), saw players in both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 don jerseys featuring the names of discrimination victims for the weekend of April 25-26, 2026. This marked a shift from previous seasons’ rainbow-colored armbands and patches, which the LFP had discontinued after facing criticism from some players unwilling to participate in LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts.
According to the LFP, 34 names were selected through collaboration with anti-discrimination organizations including Her Game Too (combating sexism in football), Foot Ensemble (fighting homophobia), and the Licra (International League Against Racism and Antisemitism). Each name corresponds to a real person who shared their experience of discrimination, with the league emphasizing that these individuals represent broader patterns of bias rather than isolated incidents.
Hakimi’s jersey featured the name “Alicia,” while other notable examples included Paris Saint-Germain teammate Daniel wearing “Daniel” on Hervé Koffi’s jersey and Angers players displaying names such as “Lou,” “Mounia,” and “Oumar.” The LFP stated that the names were chosen from testimonies collected to illustrate the multifaceted nature of discrimination in society, and sports.
The initiative sparked discussion on social media, with some fans expressing confusion over the unfamiliar names on jerseys, while others praised the league for taking a stand against prejudice. Online conversations highlighted the personal stories behind names like “Idriss,” which references a man who endured racist mockery of his accent during matches, and “Kamila,” which honors a woman questioned about her genuine interest in football due to sexist stereotypes.
By focusing on individual narratives, the LFP aims to humanize the fight against discrimination and encourage reflection among players, fans, and the wider football community. The league maintains that the campaign underscores its commitment to addressing prejudice in all its forms, moving beyond symbolic gestures to create meaningful dialogue about inclusion and respect in the sport.
The LFP has not announced whether this initiative will become a recurring feature in future seasons, leaving the possibility open for similar campaigns to continue raising awareness about discrimination in football.
What are your thoughts on this unique approach to tackling discrimination in sports? Share your perspective in the comments below and join the conversation about inclusion in football.
