The French Football Federation (FFF) is set to host the second edition of its Tournoi des fiertés (Pride Tournament) on Saturday, May 16, at the national training center in Clairefontaine. The event stands as the sole dedicated initiative against homophobia in French football this year, a stark reminder of the sport's ongoing struggle with inclusivity. Jean-Bernard Moles, co-president of the FFF's Committee for the Fight Against Sexist and Sexual Violence and Discrimination (Cleved), has voiced profound disappointment that the Professional Football League (LFP) will be conspicuously absent from the gathering. His criticism underscores a growing rift between the two governing bodies over how best to combat discrimination in the game.
The timing of the tournament is deliberately symbolic, falling just one day before the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on May 17. This alignment is intended to amplify the message that French football is taking a stand against LGBTIphobia. However, Moles lamented that the LFP's decision to stay away leaves the FFF as the sole major football organization in the country to mark the occasion with a dedicated event. 'La Ligue sera aux abonnés absents ce week-end,' he told L'Equipe, a phrase that translates to the league being nowhere to be seen, a no-show at a critical moment for the sport's values.
The FFF's Pride Tournament was launched last year under the presidency of Philippe Diallo and the direction of general manager Jean-François Vilotte, with the backing of the federal engagement commission led by Amel Bouzoura. It was seen as a response to long-standing accusations that the federation had not done enough to tackle homophobia. By staging a tournament solely focused on this issue, the FFF aimed to send a clear signal of commitment. The decision to run it for a second consecutive year is meant to demonstrate that this is not a one-off gesture but a sustained effort to change the culture of French football.
Moles, a doctor in sports science who brings an academic rigor to the anti-discrimination fight, did not hold back in his assessment of the LFP's broader approach. He pointed to the league's own day dedicated to combating all forms of discrimination, arguing that it inadvertently had the opposite effect on the fight against homophobia. Rather than shining a light on LGBTIphobia, Moles believes the catch-all nature of the LFP's initiative served to invisibilize the specific struggles faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people in football. This critique raises uncomfortable questions about whether a universal anti-discrimination message can adequately address the unique and deeply entrenched homophobia that persists in the men's game especially.
The absence of the LFP from Clairefontaine is both symbolic and practical. The professional league represents the elite tier of French football, Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, where the spotlight is brightest and the potential for influence is greatest. Without the participation of professional clubs or the endorsement of the league, the tournament risks being seen as a peripheral activity, disconnected from the high-profile world of star players and big matches. For Moles and the FFF, that disconnection is entirely the point of their frustration: the fight against homophobia should not be left solely to the amateur or grassroots levels but must be visibly championed at the top.
The history of homophobia in football is littered with incidents that have gone unpunished or been met with tepid responses. French football has had its share of controversies, from abusive chants in stadiums to a lack of openly gay male professional players. The FFF's Pride Tournament, which brings together teams from diverse backgrounds to compete and share experiences, is an attempt to create a safe space and positive visibility. By criticizing the LFP's parallel but less focused efforts, Moles is effectively calling for a unified stance that puts LGBTIphobia front and center, rather than diluting it within a broader set of issues.
The creation of Cleved itself is a sign of institutional change. Co-chaired by Moles and Antonio Teixeira, the committee was established to give structure and teeth to the federation's work against violence and discrimination. Its involvement in organizing the Pride Tournament indicates that the FFF is moving beyond mere statements and into concrete action. Yet the reluctance of the LFP to engage suggests that professional football's governing body has a different philosophy, one that might prioritize a more generic message over targeted initiatives, perhaps out of concern for commercial sensitivities or fear of alienating certain fan bases.
The implications of this split extend beyond a single weekend. If French football's two main governing bodies cannot align on how to address homophobia, the overall message to players, coaches and supporters becomes muddled. It creates an environment where progress is fragmented and where the most vulnerable individuals may feel that their experiences are not being taken seriously by the very institutions that should protect them. Moles' public frustration is a strategic move to put pressure on the LFP to do more and to do it with greater precision.
As the second edition of the Tournoi des fiertés approaches, the focus will be on the stories of participants and the atmosphere of inclusion it generates. But behind the scenes, the tension between the FFF and LFP is a reminder that the battle against homophobia in football is far from won. The tournament is a beacon, but it shines somewhat dimmer when the country's professional league chooses not to stand in its light. How the LFP responds to this criticism, and whether it will reconsider its approach for future years, remains an open question that will be closely watched by advocates inside and outside the sport.
Based on reporting from L'Equipe.