Kouyate to be dragged in for showdown talks by Palace after appearing to back Gueye’s decision to snub rainbow shirt

CHEIKHOU KOUYATE is set for talks with Crystal Palace after he and Watford winger Ismaila Sarr sparked criticism from fans for appearing to support Idrissa Gueye.

The Paris Saint-Germain ace, who is a devout Muslim, allegedly missed the club's 4-0 win against Montpellier after refusing to wear a shirt containing a rainbow flag.

Over the weekend, clubs in France wore special jerseys in a show of solidarity for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia on Tuesday, May 17.

Former Everton star Gueye, 32, failed to take part in the match, with boss Maurico Pochettino revealing it was due to "personal reasons, but he is not injured".

According to French news outlet RMC Sport, Gueye did not feature because he refused to play in the LGBT-themed top.

RMC have now reported that Gueye has been summoned by the National Council of Ethics of the French Football Federation to explain his reasons for missing the game.

Following Gueye's refusal, Blackpool starlet Jake Daniels revealed he is gay to overwhelming support from the world football community.

But soon after his brave revelation, Kouyate and Sarr appear to have backed their Senegalese team-mate Gueye.

In a now-deleted Instagram post, Sarr shared a snap of him and Gueye with three love heart emojis and the words "100 per cent".

In response, Watford published a statement that reads: "Watford Football Club is proud to work collaboratively within its local community to further the messages and education around EDI (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion).

"Including the formation of some partnerships which have helped everyone at Vicarage Road better understand the differences in cultures that abound.

"The club reiterates its long-term commitment to the EDI values that formed the backbone of it being recognised with the PLEDIS (Premier League Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Standard) Advanced Award, and this includes the willingness to offer further education and support to any of its employees."

Meanwhile Kouyate uploaded a picture of him and his compatriot on his Instagram story, which has now been removed, where he called Gueye "a real man".

He even added "we wholeheartedly support you brother" on the upload.

Kouyate followed that up with another post on his story of him with Gueye, which said: "Champion with a big heart.

"Champion in your behaviour, champion in your generosity, champion you were, champion you are, champion you will remain in our eyes."

Eagles boss Patrick Vieira has declared that the club will hold talks with the player.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Thursday's clash against Everton, he said: "It’s going to be an in-house conversation."

Fans have reacted angrily to the duo's posts, as one Watford supporter stated: "Get him out of our club."

Another remarked: "How stupid do you have to be, as Ismaila Sarr, to come out in support of a homophobe, in the same week a 17-year-old lad was brave enough to come out as gay, in the world of football. Absolutely moronic."

A third added: "Ismaila Sarr proves why people like Jake Daniels need to come out in football."

Commenting on Kouyate's uploads, this fan messaged: "I was a huge Kouyate fan. Both on & off the pitch. Off the pitch, he’s let everyone down. He needs educating. Badly."

This user said: "That Kouyate post is exceptionally disappointing. You’d hope the club step in and do their bit by educating him to be better."

Meanwhile one simply stated: "So disappointing from Kouyate. Bin him off."