34 Names, 34 Stories, One Reality
On the occasion of this weekend's activation, the LFP collectively commits to fighting against all forms of discrimination. Learn more about the story behind the names on the weekend's kits.
Starting on Friday evening—marking the kickoff of Matchday 32 of Ligue 2 BKT and Matchday 31 of Ligue 1 McDonald’s—players wotre the first name of a victim of discrimination on their jerseys in place of their own names.
Because symbols are essential yet do not always suffice to convey the reality experienced by those who fall victim to discrimination, the Ligue de Football Professionnel sought to shine a spotlight on these victims and give visibility to individuals who are all too often silenced.
A first name—the symbol of a very real person who has suffered discrimination.
Behind every name worn this weekend, there is a person, a story, a lived reality.#1TEAM pic.twitter.com/l2gCDL2eJa
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) April 25, 2026
These names were not chosen at random. In collaboration with the associations Her Game Too, Foot Ensemble, and Licra, 34 names were selected based on the testimonies of individuals who have fallen victim to discrimination in their daily lives.
Although there are only 34 of them, these names do not represent isolated cases. They serve as a reminder that discrimination takes many forms—sexist, racist, homophobic, and antisemitic—and that it remains a daily reality for these individuals, a reality that professional football refuses to normalize.
Throughout the weekend, clubs will amplify this campaign on their social media channels by posting visuals highlighting one of the names featured in the campaign, accompanied by a statement recounting the discriminatory experience endured. This serves as a way to humanize these names and to remind everyone that behind every act of discrimination, there is a person, a story, and a lived experience.
This weekend, players wear more than just names. They wear stories.
Stories of people who have faced discrimination - and refuse to stay silent.
Real experiences, lived here in our stadiums.#1TEAM pic.twitter.com/ixtGUQX9OZ— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) April 25, 2026
For their part, Ligue 1+ and beIN SPORTS—the official broadcasters of Ligue 1 McDonald’s and Ligue 2 BKT—will support the initiative by spotlighting representatives from partner associations on the sidelines of matches. They will also explain the significance of this unique jersey lettering and the commitment jointly undertaken by the clubs and the Ligue de Football Professionnel.
Angers SCO has chosen to commit itself fully by developing a powerful initiative centered on the issues of inclusion, equality, and the fight against all forms of discrimination, through a creative project titled "MÊMES VALEURS" (Same Values). This project will come to life directly on the pitch, displayed on the players' jerseys.
As part of this initiative, specific promotional support is being implemented across the MPG and MPP platforms, bolstered by a display advertising campaign designed to amplify the message's visibility and impact among audiences. Concurrently, the campaign will also be promoted on MPG’s social media channels to mobilize the community around the initiative, while also highlighting the reporting platform established by Licra to support victims of discrimination.
A Collective and Lasting Commitment
This initiative reflects a clear objective: to combat all forms of discrimination with unwavering determination. Developed in collaboration with partner associations, the campaign aims to unite the entire professional football community around a shared message: there is no place for discrimination—neither in our stadiums nor in society at large.
This powerful and symbolic gesture forms part of a structured, long-term action plan spearheaded by the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP). Since 2021, the LFP has been actively working to prevent and combat discrimination by mobilizing the entire professional football ecosystem—including players, club officials, supporters, and staff members.
This weekend, all clubs from 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝟭 𝗠𝗰𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗱’𝘀 and @Ligue2BKT are coming together in the fight against all forms of discrimination.
Sexism, racism, antisemitism, and homophobia are realities that have no place in football, or anywhere else. #1TEAM pic.twitter.com/NY5vFxMZwL— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) April 24, 2026
Inform, Raise Awareness, Take Action
Raising awareness serves as a pivotal element of this commitment. Being informed is not enough; one must also possess the ability to identify, report, and take action in the face of discriminatory behavior. In partnership with Licra, Foot Ensemble, the Foundation for Inclusive Sport, and the UNFP, the workshops rolled out within clubs provide everyone with the tools to understand these situations, assess their consequences, and adopt the appropriate responses.
To date, more than 150 workshops have been organized across 45 clubs since the program’s launch in November 2021.
In parallel, Foot Ensemble—which participates in the *Fondaction du Football*’s Open FC program—organized 41 workshops dedicated to combating homophobia this season across 20 youth academies and talent development centers. Over the past five years, Foot Ensemble has organized a total of 116 workshops, bringing together more than 2,100 young boys and girls.
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