Soccer Team Rejects Gay French Player

A 14-year French soccer veteran who took a brief hiatus from his team after fellow players publicly made homophobic remarks says his requests to rejoin the team have been rejected.

Yoann Lemaire took a break from the team in May 2009 when teammates made homophobic statements on camera. A rough translation of the letter from Chooz soccer club president Frederic Pretty says, "The invoked reasons are to protect the two parties," according to Outsports.com. "It is important to us, considering the passion since the events of May 2009 and the media coverage that resulted, to avoid again incidents. "

Lemaire said only two out of 60 players on the team have a problem with his sexual orientation. Remi Vienot, assistant to the mayor of Chooz, told the newspaper Le Monde the team was the first French soccer club to sign the charger against homophobia in soccer.