Olivier Rouyer, aged 57 and a former player for Nancy, currently serves as a consultant on Canal+. In 2008, he became one of the few French footballers to publicly disclose his homosexuality. Responding to the recent survey on homosexuality in French football, as reported by Africa Top Sports.com, Rouyer expressed his thoughts on the matter.
In an interview with the 20 Minutes website, he commented on the fear some players have about taking showers with a gay teammate: “How can you be afraid to take a shower when you know your friend is gay? But it’s stupid! There’s no way we can still think like that. We can’t be that stupid, it’s dramatic. But it’s so anchored in people’s minds… It’s a lack of discernment, of education. I thought kids were much more tolerant than adults, but ultimately no.”
Rouyer highlighted the need for better education and emphasized the role of educators in shaping the mindset of young players arriving at training centers. He suggested that negative attitudes often stem from what individuals hear at home, and educators must work to promote tolerance and understanding among young athletes.
