Nantes Egyptian forward Mostafa Mohamed in action during a French Ligue 1 football match. Photo: AFP
“I respect all differences. I respect all beliefs and convictions. This respect extends to others but also includes respect for my personal beliefs. Given my roots, my culture, the importance of my convictions and beliefs, it was not possible for me to participate in this campaign,” the 25-year old Muslim player said on his Twitter account in the early hours of Monday.
All teams in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 over the weekend wore shirts featuring numbers in rainbow colors as part of the initiative. The captains’ armbands were similarly colored.
French website l'Equipe reported that Mohamed refused to wear the jersey and stayed at the hotel during his team’s game against Toulouse, which ended in a scoreless draw.
“I hope that my decision will be respected, as well as my wish not to be involved in any controversy about this and that everyone is treated with respect,” he concluded.
Future unclear
Interim coach Pierre Aristouy believes that all this controversy had its impact on the team, which is battling for survival in Ligue 1.
“There was this hazard of the delayed match and Mostafa's decision. He was very torn by the desire to play and the problems he had encountered during the Ramadan period. It is an annoyance. My opinion is tolerance in relation to all religious and sexual issues with this day against homophobia,” he told the club’s official website after the game.
When asked whether there will be any disciplinary actions against his striker, he said, “The club will decide. I'm here for four matches. I will focus on the three remaining matches.”
Mohamed isn’t the only player to have declined to participate in the campaign as Morocco and Toulouse midfielder Zakaria Aboukhlal has also been ommitted from the game.
The National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP) said in a statement on Sunday it is aware of these cases but cannot comment on them, and it is not up to them to dictate the conduct of the players.
Mostafa Mohamed joined Nantes at the beginning of the season on a season-long loan deal from Turkish side Galatasaray with an option to buy. According to reports from both countries, talks have been ongoing to make the move permanent in the coming days.
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