Adapted from an article in Le Nouvel Observateur, HERE.Because "our beliefs are far more important than a football game," said Bébel of Créteil, France, a club of "practicing Muslims", "we can not play" against Paris Foot Gay, a gay-friendly soccer club.
Paris Foot Gay club is indignant that the Muslim club refused to play against it on Sunday, October 4, because of Paris Foot Gay's status as a proudly gay and gay-friendly team.
In a statement, Paris Foot Gay asked their league, the CFL (recreational football league), a signatory of the Charter Against Homophobia, to impose the appropriate sanctions." The club also plans to file a criminal complaint, noting that "homophobia, like racism, is subject to criminal prosecution."
The organizing committee of the match was said to be "stunned" at the refusal, according to France Inter news, and summoned Créteil Bébel to explain.
"Our belief, more important than football match"
Saturday, October 3, Paris Foot Gay received an email signed by Créteil Bébel canceling the match between the two teams scheduled for the next day.
"Sorry, but from the name of your team and in accordance with the principles of our team, a team of practicing Muslims, we cannot play against you; our beliefs are far more important than a football game. Once again, we apologize for informing you of this so late," wrote Créteil Bébel.
A letter that is quite polite, remarks Paris Foot Gay, but that notes that "this team has simply refused to play a match so as to avoid having to play against homosexuals." The club stated that "Paris Foot Gay is not a communitarian club, and is open to all, straight people and gay, happy to fight together against prejudice and discrimination."
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