For two years in a row, Ligue 1 has had controversy surrounding LGBT support acts. Last season, then PSG player Idrissa Gueye refused to wear a jersey with rainbow-themed numbers and this time, several Toulouse players refused to do the same and were left out of the squad.
Marseille captain Valentin Rongier believes everyone should show solidarity for LBGT people regardless of their beliefs.
He told La Provence: "It's a very complicated situation. I don't know what is going on in the minds of these players, the education they have received, put in their heads. You have to take all of that into account.
"But I also think it's a communication problem. It must be said to these players that wearing this jersey is not parading at Gay Pride. It's just to say that we have to fight homophobia because there are injustices, people who are beaten up, and killed because they are homosexual. This is 2023, this kind of thing should not happen. We must fight these injustices.
"Yes, it's difficult to talk about it without creating controversy. But in the locker room [at Marseille] there was no discussion. We know that there is one day a year for the LGBT community. Agreeing or disagreeing with that is one thing, but players are not being asked to march down the street in support. It's just a jersey with a few rainbow colours on it."
