Idrissa Gueye of Paris Saint-Germain Does Not Hold a Ghanaian Nationality
The Claim
Idrissa Gueye, a Ghanaian footballer for Paris Saint-Germain, has refused to wear the rainbow flag, a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community, on his jersey.
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Emerging story
Social media users in the MENA region have been discussing possible sanctions against Paris Saint-Germain footballer Idrissa Gueye for refusing to participate with his team in a match dedicated to showing support for homosexuality during the French League. The users alleged that Idrissa holds Ghanaian citizenship.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar has investigated the claim and found it to be misleading. Idrissa Gana Gueye of Paris Saint-Germain is Senegalese. He is not Ghanaian, contrary to what the misleading posts reveal.
Idrissa Gana Gueye’s Nationality
Idrissa Gana Gueye was born on September 26, 1989, in Dakar, Senegal. He also plays for the Senegalese national football team, for which he received multiple awards at the most recent African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Gueye’s Absence for “Personal Reasons”
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye missed Saturday's 4-0 win over Montpellier in Ligue 1 due to "personal reasons," according to coach Mauricio Pochettino. Meanwhile, the French football federation's ethics committee ordered the Senegalese player to respond to allegations that he "missed a game to avoid wearing a rainbow jersey in support of the LGBTQI+ movement."
According to news reports, Gueye also missed a match last year on a day dedicated to raising awareness about discrimination.
"Gueye did not want to wear a rainbow-colored number on the back of his shirt," according to French radio RMC.
Idrissa Guy "traveled with his teammates to Montpellier last weekend for Saturday's French league game in the southern city but did not play," according to one of the organizations supporting the LGBTQI+ community.
The organization also stated that "homophobia is a crime, not an opinion."
Senegal's President Defends Gueye
Following criticism for "deliberately missing his side's league game," Idrissa Gana Gueye received the support of Senegal's President Macky Sall on May 17.
According to news outlets, Gueye's absence has sparked outrage and criticism from the LGBTI+ community, who have called for "sharper sanctions to be imposed on the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder."
Translated by Khadija Boufous
