Nantes FC striker Mostafa Mohamed celebrates after scoring his goal during the match with Toulouse on Sunday 28 August, 2022. Photo courtesy of Nantes FC Twitter account.
The 27-year-old forward declined to participate in Nantes's final Ligue 1 match on Saturday against Montpellier. The game coincided with the league's annual anti-homophobia campaign, during which players wore shirts featuring rainbow-coloured numbers.
This marks the third consecutive season in which Mohamed has boycotted matches associated with the league's anti-homophobia campaign, citing personal convictions and beliefs as the reason for his stance.
Mohamed missed training on Thursday, with coach Antoine Kombouaré attributing his absence to minor muscular pain.
However, while respecting others' choices, Mohamed said in a social media statement that participating would conflict with his personal convictions.
"I'm not comfortable speaking in public, but today I feel the need to clarify my decision, without seeking to provoke debate," Mohamed said.
"Everyone carries their own story, culture, and sensitivity. Living together also means recognising that diversity can be expressed differently depending on the person. I believe in mutual respect – the respect we owe others, but also the respect we owe to ourselves and our beliefs. For me, there are deep-rooted values linked to my background and my beliefs that make my participation in this initiative difficult."
According to L'Equipe, Nantes will impose a fine on Mohamed to be donated to a charitable association.
Moreover, Aurore Bergé, the French Minister for Equality between Women and Men and for the Fight against Discrimination, has called for sanctions against Mohamed.
Bergé took to social media, condemning homophobia as a "crime" and urging disciplinary action.
"In the French Republic, faith is not and will never be above the law. Homophobia is not a 'sensitivity' or a 'diversity'; it is a crime. The Ligue 1 has taken a vital initiative in the fight against homophobia, and it must be respected by all. It is time for clear sanctions to be imposed," she said.
The international striker joined Nantes from Turkish club Galatasaray in the summer of 2023, after the Ligue 1 side opted to make his one-season loan move permanent.
He has since scored 25 goals in 112 appearances for Nantes across all competitions.
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