In Le Mans, the Homogène center is worried about the arrival of Idrissa Gueye at Le Mans FC
In Le Mans, Sarthe, the arrival of Senegalese international Idrissa Gana Gueye among the investors of Le Mans FC has sparked a reaction from the LGBTI+ Homogène center. In a press release issued on Friday, September 25, the association expressed its fear of a normalization of LGBTphobic behavior; its stance was reported by ICI Maine and franceinfo on Monday, September 28, 2026.
An arrival officially announced on September 23rd
Le Mans FC announced on September 23 that Idrissa Gana Gueye and former Brazilian international Lucas Leiva were joining its group of investors, alongside the OutField fund. The club presents these additions as a way to strengthen its project and its ties with international football, particularly in West Africa. The amounts invested and the stake held by each new investor have not been publicly disclosed. The Le Mans FC press release also does not specify any particular operational role assigned to the player.
The reserves of the Homogeneous Center
In its press release, the LGBTI+ Homogeneous Center of Sarthe expressed its « incomprehension » and stated its fear of damage to Le Mans’ image. The association referred to Idrissa Gana Gueye’s refusal to wear a jersey bearing the colors of the fight against homophobia while playing for Paris Saint-Germain. In May 2022, the midfielder notably withdrew from a match against Montpellier organized as part of this campaign. The French Football Federation’s National Ethics Council criticized his stance at the time.
This local reaction comes after an initial public protest on September 24th by a national coalition of associations against homophobia and discrimination. Homogène’s statement thus adds a voice from the Sarthe region to the debate sparked by the player’s acquisition of a stake in the club.
What this changes for the club and the residents
At this stage, the controversy centers on the values associated with the club and the image of Le Mans; the published information indicates no immediate impact on matches or the sporting operations of Le Mans FC. The club’s statement presents the investment as a contribution to the project’s development and international relations.
The amount and terms of the investment remain unknown. Sources consulted also report no response from the club or the player to the criticisms leveled by the Homogène center. The association, for its part, believes that this arrival risks damaging the image of a city it describes as having a long-standing commitment to LGBT rights.
Source: franceinfo- Pays de la Loire
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