Le Mans FC faces boycott following new celebrity investments

Le Mans Football Club is facing significant controversy following a major investment shift and a subsequent boycott call. High-profile athletes, including Novak Djokovic, Thibaut Courtois, Idrissa Gueye, and Lucas Leiva, have signed investment pacts to join the club's capital. This financial influx is intended to support the club's strategy and infrastructure as it prepares for potential relegation to Ligue 1.

However, the inclusion of Idrissa Gueye has triggered a boycott movement led by a national collective against homophobia, racism, antisemitism, and all forms of discrimination. The collective, comprising various LGBT+ and anti-discrimination associations, has labeled the move a “major ethical drift.”

The protest stems from Gueye's past actions, specifically a 2022 incident while playing for Paris Saint-Germain when he declined to participate in a match against Montpellier to avoid wearing rainbow-colored jerseys intended to raise awareness against homophobia. The collective argues that these past stances are incompatible with the club's social responsibilities.