Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed was fined by his club Nantes for refusing to play at the weekend in a protest against an anti-homophobia campaign in France’s Ligue 1.
According to the details, Mohamed was fined and excluded from the team sheet in Nantes’ match against Toulouse in the French League after the striker refused to don his team’s jersey, whose numbers were painted as the rainbow in support of LGBT rights.
Besides the players’ jerseys, armbands worn by captains and officials were also rainbow-coloured as the Ligue 1 recorded a protest campaign against homophobia.
According to the sources, Mostafa Mohamed’s refusal would only result in financial loss, however, the Egyptian forward will not be suspended from his side’s next Ligue 1 fixtures.
Mostafa Mohamed, a 25-year-old Muslim, took to his Twitter and explained his decision not to play and urged that his personal beliefs must be respected as well.
“I respect all differences. I respect all beliefs and all convictions. This respect extends to others but my personal beliefs must be respected as well,” he wrote on Twitter.
“Given my roots, my culture, the importance of my convictions and beliefs, it was not possible for me to participate in this campaign. I hope my decision will be respected.”
Je n’ai pas pris part aujourd’hui au match Toulouse – Nantes.
Je ne souhaite pas du tout polémiquer mais je me dois de faire part de ma position.
Le respect des différences, ce serait le respect de l'autre, le respect de soi, le respect de ce qui sera mis en commun et de ce…
— Mostafa Mohamed (@mmostafa_11) May 14, 2023
Nantes managed to hold 13th-placed Toulouse for a goalless draw to move one point behind Auxerre, just above the relegation zone.
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