French Rugby team to wear rainbow laces after homophobic attack on former player

The national rugby team of France will wear rainbow coloured shoe laces in their upcoming match against Fiji on November 24 as a supporting gesture to former Wales international player Gareth Thomas who recently faced a homophobic attack.

Thomas, who declared himself a gay in 2009, had posted a video on his official Twitter handle saying that he was assaulted because of his sexuality.

Coming out in support of the former player, vice-president of the French Rugby Federation Serge Simon not only asked the players to wear rainbow shoe laces in their next match but also assured Thomas that "all of French Rugby" is with him in the matter.

"Dear @gareththomas14, All of French Rugby is with you regarding the homophobic molestation you've been victim of. To show our support, the French rugby players will wear a rainbow shoe lace during the France - Fidji game on Saturday night. We're all in with you in this matter," Simon tweeted.

Thanking the French rugby federation for the gesture, Thomas said that players wearing rainbow shoe laces in solidarity is an immense sign of inclusion.

"The players wearing rainbow laces in solidarity is an immense sign of inclusion. To the group that attacked me, please stay true to your word and apologies. I believe you all when you said sorry," he tweeted.

The Rainbow Laces Campaign was initiated by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual (LGBT) equality campaigner group Stonewall. The campaign aims at tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic attitudes in sport.