Recently, Monaco’s Mohamed Camara received a four-game ban from the French Football League (LFP) last week after he taped over an LGBTQ support emblem on the Mali international’s support during a Ligue 1 match.
The LGBTQ-themed badge on Camara’s uniform was covered in white tape during Monaco’s final match of the season against Nates on May 19. Camara helped carry Monaco to a 4-0 win. However, the professional footballer is facing repercussions from the league after his actions to obstruct the logo.
“After hearing the player Mohamed Camara, and noting his refusal during the meeting to carry out one or more actions to raise awareness of the fight against homophobia, the Commission decided to impose a four-match suspension,” according to a statement from the LFP.
French sports minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra slammed Camara’s actions, calling for “the strongest sanctions” against the athlete. However, the Malian Football Federation released a statement supporting Camara. “It is important to remember that players are citizens like any others, whose fundamental rights must be protected in all circumstances,” the federation said
Last week, Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro issued a statement in support of the football league’s pro-LGBTQ campaign. “It was a personal initiative from Mo Camara,” Scuro told French media. We will have this conversation with Mo internally. Internally, we will discuss this situation.”
Camara’s act of protest against wearing the LGTBQ logo is not the first instance in which Ligue 1 players have revolted against similar campaigns. Last year, several players in the league refused to take part in an effort to call players to wear shirts with rainbow-colored numbers.
In 2023, Several Toulouse payers have withdrawn from the squad ahead of a match against Nantes for refusing to participate in the league-wide initiative. “Some players from the professional squad have expressed their disagreement with the association of their image with the rainbow colours representing the LGBT movement,” Toulouse said in a public statement.
It added, “While respecting the individual choices of its players, and after numerous exchanges, Toulouse Football Club has chosen to leave the said players out of the match.” Toulouse and Morocco defender Zakaria Aboukhlal said he did not want to play in the game. “I have made the decision not to take part in today’s game,” he shared on social media.
“Respect is a value that I hold in great esteem. It extends to others, but it also encompasses respect for my own personal beliefs,” he continued. “Hence, I don’t believe I am the most suitable person to participate in this campaign.”
Stade Brestois coach Eric Roy asserted that the campaign should have been scheduled for a different time than the end of the season, claiming that some players not participating in matches could play a decisive role as their clubs combat regulations.
“The programming of this day against homophobia is catastrophic,” Roy said at the time. “You can see that there are players who have a problem with it. Everyone is free to express their opinions. Personally, I have no problem with it. But there are players who may have a problem with it.
