Mali and Monaco Midfielder, Mohamed Camara has been suspended for four matches after the midfielder covered up anti-homophobia messages on his shirt.
The 24-year-old placed a white tape over the campaign logo on his chest during the club’s 4-0 win over Nantes in the French Ligue 1 on 19th May 2024.
The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) issued a statement explaining the suspension followed a hearing with Camara and his refusal “to carry out one or more actions to raise awareness of the fight against homophobia.”
France’s sports minister, Amelie Oudea-Castera, had previously called for “the strongest sanctions” against Camara during an interview with French radio station RTL.
On the final day of the Ligue 1 season, all clubs wore the campaign logo on their kits, and the competition’s emblem displayed rainbow colors as part of an LFP initiative. Camara also covered up the rainbow emblem.
The Malian Football Federation supported Camara, stating that “players are citizens like any others, whose fundamental rights must be protected in all circumstances.” Monaco’s chief executive, Thiago Scuro, affirmed the club’s backing of the LFP’s campaign and mentioned that they will address the situation with Camara “internally.”
