Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed was absent from Nantes' squad that played against Toulouse in a Ligue 1 match on Sunday, after refusing to wear an anti-homophobia shirt, French website l'Equipe reported on Sunday.
The French League dedicated all fixtures over the weekend to its initiative against homophobia with the numbers on the back of players' shirts in rainbow colours.
According to l’Equipe report, the 24-year-old remained in the hotel while his teammates headed to Toulouse stadium.
Another local media report suggested that some Toulouse players also refused to play the game to avoid wearing the anti-homophobia shirt.
Mohamed, who joined Nantes from Turkish side Galatasaray on a season-long loan last summer, is the team's top scorer in Ligue 1 with eight goals.
The Canaries are currently in a critical situation in the league table, fighting to avoid relegation with four games remaining.
They are in 17th place in the league, with four of the 20 clubs facing relegation this season.
Auxerre is two points ahead of Nantes in 16th place, while Brest and Strasbourg are three points ahead.
The club recently fired coach Antoine Kombouaré and appointed on Tuesday Pierre Aristouy as his replacement until the end of the season.
cozcdnrstz
474
Mostafa you have our support all over the world. We are proud of you
Cyrus7
419
Well done buddy,these people are crazy 😜 What football has to do with this nonsense
jadceino
364
Thank you Mustapha Muhammed
Afrosports
310
Same French FA yhat suspended a player for refusing to break his holy fast and are now busy promoting this nonsense. these are just devils advocate
Yuzeilyz
180
that's a brave man's stand,he stands up for what he believes in
Alkasser30
110
Why are they promoting this garbage in games ? Why not just play football and leave this nonsense of the field. Now they make a story out of nothing 🤷🏻🤦🏻