Lyon midfielder Nemanja Matic could face a ban after he covered an anti-homophobia message on his kit.
Ligue 1 clubs sported rainbow-coloured logos on their right sleeve on the final day of the season to commemorate International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia on Saturday.
However, Matic opted not to participate as he covered the logo.
The Serbian came on in the 69th minute in place of Tanner Tessmann in Lyon’s 2-0 win over Angers on Saturday.
A second-half brace from Alexandre Lacazette, who will depart Lyon at the end of the season, secured the three points for the French giants.
Matic shared a picture of himself and Lacazette after the match where the covered-up logo was once again visible.
The former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder is not the first Ligue 1 player to have covered up anti-homophobia messages.
Monaco’s Mohamed Camara received a four-match ban after he did the same during his side’s 4-0 win over Nantes on the final day of the 2023/24 season.
Camara taped over a campaign logo on his chest and the Ligue 1 rainbow badge on his sleeve.
As a result, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) handed down a suspension due to Mali international Camara’s refusal “to carry out one or more actions to raise awareness of the fight against homophobia”.
Former French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera called for Camara to face ‘the strongest sanctions’.
“It is unacceptable behaviour,” Oudea-Castera told French radio outlet RTL in 2024.
@NemanjaMatic - XMatic’s logo remained covered when he shared a dressing room snap with Lacazette[/caption]“I had the chance to tell the LFP what I thought about it and I think such behaviour must be subject to the strongest sanctions against the player and the club which allowed it to happen.”
Nantes forward Mostafa Mohamed is another who has refused to engage in the anti-homophobia initiative.
Mohamed has not featured in any of Nantes’ matchday squads that coincide with the LFP’s anti-homophobia initiatives since he arrived at the club in 2022.
The theme continued this season as he was not named in Nantes’ squad for their 3-0 win over Montpellier.
The Egyptian cited his personal beliefs as the reason why he would not be involved and called for ‘calm and understanding’ regarding his stance on the issue.
“Everyone carries their own story, culture and sensitivity,” Mohamed said.
Mohamed (left) expressed why he would not participate in anti-homophobia initiativesAFP via Getty“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.”
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