Former Manchester United star Nemanja Matic has received a ban in France after taping over a LGBTQ+ logo during a match.
Matic, who now plays for Lyon, has been hit with a two-game ban after covering the rainbow-coloured Ligue 1 logo on his shirt against Angers on the final day of the season.
Ligue 1 runs an annual anti-homophobia campaign which asks players to wear the imagery and sees banners display in stadiums.
Another player, Le Havre midfielder Ahmed Hassan, has received the same banafter covering his logo. However, Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed has not been punished after refusing to take part in the final match of the season.
Matic is believed to be an adherent of the Serbian Orthodox Christian church while Mohamed and Hassan are Muslim.
Matic and Hassan have also been asked to take part in an awareness campaign about homophobia in football, as per HLN.
France's sports minister Marie Barsacq said: 'Football has a huge platform and the federation wants to bring this issue to the attention of clubs and supporters.
'Homophobic insults and behavior are no longer acceptable. Society has developed and football must follow suit.'
Ligue 1's initiative, which has now seen five editions, has seen a stir annually with players refusing to take part, typically for reasons of faith.
Mayhem87
361
this is becoming alarming and cruel, why punish a man for standing on his resolve
micaceimot
292
Respect button ✅ for Matic✨😍
tomilmorst
135
That's a gross violation of his human right
pebakmpz
126
We stand with matic on this matter, shame on france for banning him
MuhammadMustaphaBadj
112
This is ridiculous. how can you used football to promotes LGBT.
Yecadilouz
55
matic did the right thing..
muhceilrst
39
if they keep on forcing players to support that satanic nonsense,we will come out with christians based teams and sign all God fearing players so that they won't be forced to salute devil against their will,
Viobcenptz
28
you people in authority keep pushing all this narrative meanwhile the people you are doing for are not even proud of themselves yet you keep forcing others to stand up for them absolute nonsense
iceyez
27
I stand for Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve
jamcilrsu
22
Salute To Matic💂
neycklopy
18
we don't care how hard your try to force them on the us,they will never be accepted..football is for God
Neeklopsy
16
finally God will win