Cheikhou Kouyate And Ismaila Sarr Criticised For Backing 'Real Man' Idrissa Gana Gueye Over Alleged LGBTQ+ Snub

Crystal Palace midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate and Watford forward Ismaila Sarr have received an angry backlash after appearing to back Idrissa Gana Gueye over his alleged refusal to wear the rainbow flag on his Paris Saint-Germain kit.

Gueye travelled with the PSG squad for their 4-0 win over Montpellier on Saturday but was left off the team-sheet, with manager Mauricio Pochettino confirming his omission was because of "personal reasons".

Reports in the French media later claimed that the midfielder had missed the match because of his refusal to wear a kit which featured the rainbow flag to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.

Former Everton midfielder Gueye has now seemingly been backed by his Senegal teammates Kouyate and Sarr.

Kouyate uploaded a picture of himself with Gueye to Instagram, calling his teammate "a real man" while adding "we wholeheartedly support you brother".

Sarr posted a picture of himself standing next to Gueye, with a fist emoji, three heart emojis and the words: "100 per cent".

The controversy surrounding Gueye's absence came just days before Blackpool forward Jake Daniels became the UK's first male professional footballer to come out publicly as gay since Justin Fashanu in 1990.

Sarr has received an angry backlash from Watford fans over his apparent support for Gueye.

"How stupid do you have to be, as Ismaila Sarr, to come out in support of a homophobe, in the same week a 17-year-old lad was brave enough to come out as gay, in the world of football," wrote one fan on Twitter.

"Absolutely moronic."

Another added: "Ismaila Sarr proves why people like Jake Daniels need to come out in football."

Kouyate has also been criticised by supporters of Crystal Palace.

"Don't play Kouyate for the rest of the season," wrote one fan.

"Give his place in the matchday squad to one of the youth players."

"Kouyate has some explaining to do," added another.

"He may well feel he's done nothing wrong. If his comments are as they appear to be, and he stands by them, then I'd be very disappointed to see him wear a Palace shirt again."

Watford have since released a statement, which read: "Watford Football Club is proud to work collaboratively within its local community to further the messages and education around EDI (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion), including the formation of some partnerships which have helped everyone at Vicarage Road better understand the differences in cultures that abound.

"The club reiterates its long-term commitment to the EDI values that formed the backbone of it being recognised with the PLEDIS (Premier League Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Standard) Advanced Award, and this includes the willingness to offer further education and support to any of its employees."