Homophobic attack victim Thomas: 'Mental scars will stay with me'

Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas has tweeted that the ‘mental scars’ inflicted as a result of the homophobic attacked he suffered over the weekend will ‘stay for some time’.

Thomas was attacked in Cardiff City Centre following the Wales match over the weekend. On Sunday South Wales Police confirmed that a 16-year-old boy has admitted assaulting Thomas on Saturday.

Thomas, capped 100 times by his country, posted a video on Twitter stating that he had been subjected to a homophobic attack in the Welsh capital.

Thomas thanked police after he requested the teenager was dealt with by way of restorative justice so he could “learn more than any other way” following what he described as “a hate crime for my sexuality”.

Thomas tweeted his thanks to the public this afternoon:

“After the physical scars have healed, I feel I have to say an unbelievable thank you from me and all in the LGBT community for the support I have received.

“My mental scars will stay with me for some time, but will drive to fight even more for a world where acceptance of everyone is normal.

“To the French rugby federation, merci. The players wearing rainbow laces in solidarity is an immense sign of inclusion.

“To the group that attacked me, please stay true to your world and apologies. I believe you all when you said sorry.”

Xxx pic.twitter.com/TQjBtm6Y5M

— Gareth Thomas (@gareththomas14) November 21, 2018

Yesterday the French Rugby Federation’s vice president Serge Simon said that the team will wear rainbow laces in their game against Fiji this weekend in support of Thomas.

Simon tweeted: “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.”

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.

— Serge Simon (@DrSergeSIMON) November 20, 2018