New sanction for Mostafa Mohamed, still absent for the day against homophobia on Saturday

Three years in a row, the same refusal, the same intolerance. Mostafa Mohamed persists, despite warnings. This year again, FC Nantes will financially sanction its Egyptian striker, who refuses to play on Saturday, May 17, the day dedicated by Ligue 1 to the fight against homophobia, AFP learned this Thursday, May 15, from a close source. The stakes are even higher for the club since this final match of the season, against Montpellier, is decisive: it could tip FC Nantes into Ligue 2.

The international striker is no stranger to this. He had already refused to play, for the past two seasons, the matches scheduled for the day of action against violence and discrimination against homosexuals. In 2023, his entourage had mentioned "threats" against him if he played that day, but the club had already imposed a fine on him, which was donated to SOS Homophobie.

Another source close to the club told AFP that, this year again, the money would be donated to an association fighting homophobia, confirming information from RMC and L'Equipe . The amount of the fine is not known. At midday, at a press conference, coach Antoine Kombouaré had cited a possible injury to justify the player's absence from morning training. "Uh... small muscle problem," the Kanak said, clearly embarrassed.

Asked specifically about a possible link with the day against homophobia, and after a deep sigh, Kombouaré continued: "Afterwards, we can imagine anything. For me, it's the least of my worries today." "I'm preparing for a vital match for the club, crucial for the club, so [what interests me] is: which players, today, concerned by the match, are ready to go for a victory against Montpellier. The rest..." he argued. Mostafa Mohamed is ultimately not included in the group that left to go into training two days before this decisive match.

Fifteenth and first non-relegation place with 33 points, Nantes needs a point on the 34th and final matchday to be assured of playing in Ligue 1 next year without depending on the result of Le Havre, 16th and virtual play-off two lengths behind the Canaries, who travel to Strasbourg.

Mostafa Mohamed is not the only player to refuse to play on the day of the fight against homophobia. As a press release from the Rouge Direct collective, which denounces homophobic acts in the world of football, points out, the Egyptian player is simply "opening the ball of footballers who refuse and will refuse to participate in the Day of the Fight Against Homophobia in Football this weekend." "We must expect a replay of previous years, during which dozens of players refused to participate in this action to fight discrimination, due to homophobic opinions, even if these homophobic opinions are not explicitly expressed and assumed," the collective adds.

And the financial and disciplinary sanctions seem to have little effect. "What clear and standardized disciplinary, legal framework has [the League] provided to clubs to punish this unacceptable behavior?" asks Rouge Direct, denouncing players who "tarnish the image of football." Last year, the Professional Football League suspended AS Monaco's Malian midfielder, Mohamed Camara, for four matches because he covered the operation's logo on his jersey with adhesive tape. The player received support from Malian figures and many compatriots, in the name of respect for personal and religious beliefs.