Barcelona star faces homophobic abuse after public show of support for LGBT activist | OneFootball

Barcelona’s young full-back Hector Fort has found himself at the centre of controversy following a photo posted on social media with LGBT activist Brigitta Lamoure.

The image, shared by Lamoure on Easter Sunday, shows the 18-year-old Barcelona player picking her up in his arms, taken during the 20th International Sports Solidarity Gala on March 28.

The photo, intended to highlight solidarity in sport, has sparked a backlash, with many homophobic comments targeting both Lamoure and Fort.

The comments quickly filled Lamoure’s post, prompting her to speak out against the hate speech. She shared her disappointment on X, stating,

“It’s a shame so much hate. But this should serve to encourage us to continue fighting for a free, secular, diverse, and inclusive society.”

Lamoure revealed that many of the hateful messages came from “very young women,” which she described as “terrible.” She further emphasised that it is heartbreaking for an 18-year-old like Fort to have to endure such negativity.

While Barcelona have not publicly expressed anything on the matter, it goes without saying that the club certainly condemns the homophobic behaviour displayed in the comments.

Meanwhile, it must be understood that while the incident has drawn attention to the challenges that LGBTI activists and allies face, it also underscores the importance of standing up against hate and encouraging a more inclusive environment, both online and offline.