Nantes fine Egypt striker Mostafa Mohamad and condemn threats against him

Ahram Online , Monday 15 May 2023

French Ligue 1 club Nantes has fined Egypt striker Mostafa Mohamad for refusing to participate in the league's anti-homophobic campaign held over the weekend.

Mostafa Mohamad
Egypt s striker Mostafa Mohamad

 

All teams in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 wore shirts featuring rainbow-coloured numbers, while captains' armbands were also similarly coloured as part of the initiative.

However, the 25-year-old Muslim player declined to wear the shirt due to his beliefs and conviction and remained in the hotel while his team played against Toulouse in a goalless draw on Sunday.

"Mostafa Mohamed, FC Nantes striker, refused to take part in the match against Toulouse FC for personal reasons, at a time when FC Nantes is fighting to stay in Ligue 1 Uber Eats. As such, the management of FC Nantes has decided to sanction him financially," read a statement by the club released on Monday.

The amount of the fine has not been disclosed.

Nantes is struggling in Ligue 1 this season, currently placed 17th out of 20 teams on the table with 33 points after 35 games.

The club's statement added that it condemned "in the strongest terms" the threats made against Mohamed and his family before and after the game.

Mohamed, who joined Nantes on a season-long loan deal from Turkish side Galatasaray at the beginning of the season, has scored 11 goals in 48 appearances for the French team this season.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)

 
 
Short link: