Watford have reiterated the club's long-term commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion after record signing Ismaila Sarr appeared to show support for Idrissa Gueye.

The Paris St Germain midfielder has come under fire after he failed to feature in his team's game against Montpellier on Saturday, which was the weekend Ligue 1 had chosen for clubs to show solidarity ahead of International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia this week.

The French side wore rainbow-coloured numbers to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community but Gueye was absent for “personal reasons” having also missed the corresponding fixture last year.

Sarr shared a picture of himself with Gueye on Instagram, in an apparent display of solidarity for his compatriot, with a fist emoji, three heart emojis and the words: “100 per cent”.

The Hornets have said that "further education" is on offer for Sarr, and any of the club's employees.

When approached about the subject, the Hornets responded with the following statement: "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."

Sarr is not the only player to have been criticised for his response, with Crystal Palace midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate also doing similar.

Palace manager Patrick Vieira has promised to seek talks with Kouyate, saying he was eager to find out the “full facts” from his player.

“It will be a normal conversation,” Vieira insisted. “I will be trying to understand and I will speak to him to try to see what that message means.

“Of course I don’t know how you perceive that message but I will speak to him and try to understand.”

The Premier League’s own Rainbow Laces campaign occurs in December and Vieira insisted he would always be willing to show support for the LGBTQ+ community.

He added: “Myself, I will support anything when it comes to being anti-discrimination. So if I have to wear the shirt or the armband, I personally will do it.”