Three players in France`s Ligue 1 have received suspensions after they did not participate in the league`s anti-homophobia initiative, which took place on the final matchday of the season.
For the second consecutive time, FC Nantes forward Mostafa Mohamed declined participation, citing personal objections. While Mohamed was not fined on this occasion, his fellow Egyptian, Ahmed Hassan of Le Havre, was sanctioned. Hassan, along with Olympique Lyonnais` Nemanja Matić, reportedly used tape to cover the rainbow symbol on their jerseys during their respective matches. Both Hassan and Matić have been suspended by the LFP, each receiving a two-match ban along with an additional two-game suspended ban.
These bans for Hassan and Matić are scheduled to take effect at the start of the upcoming Ligue 1 campaign. Separately, RC Lens defender Jonathan Gradit received a one-game suspension. This ban was issued by French football authorities after Gradit was reportedly heard uttering a homophobic slur during the same weekend the anti-discrimination initiative was held.
