Monaco and Mali footballer Mohamed Camara has been handed a four-match suspension by the French Football Federation after the Malian refused to support the anti-homophobia campaign by covering the LGBTQ logo on his shirt during their 4-0 victory over Nantes in the last game of the French Ligue 1.
In the 34th game, in which Camara scored the third goal via a spot kick, Monaco’s participation in next season’s Champions League tournament was confirmed after they finished as runners-up to PSG.
After the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) summoned Camara for questioning, upon hearing from the 24-year-old and considering his refusal to support the LGBTQ campaign against homophobia, they decided to suspend him for four games, which will be active from next season.
As revealed by Monaco’s head coach, Scuro, Camara was also not part of the team’s group photo in which both teams stood behind a banner in support of the LGBTQ community:
“It’s a very sensitive subject at all levels, because we also have to respect all religions. But as an organization, we are very sad about this episode and we want to make it clear that we do not support this,” he added.
Monaco’s head coach further revealed to AFP that the sanction will not be appealed by the club, distancing the club from Camara’s actions and declaring their full support for the anti-discrimination campaign:
“We take note of the decision of the League, which we respect, and we will not appeal this decision,” Monaco’s general manager Thiago Scuro told AFP.
“Our concern was above all to deal with this situation, to make our club’s position clear on the subject, and to explain to Mo (Camara) that his behavior could be different.”
“Monaco supports the action of the League, the fight against discrimination, and the action against homophobia. It is clear for us, and it is also clear for Mo.”
French Sport Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera insisted that the player and the club must face tough sanctions:
“Such behavior must be met with the toughest sanctions both for the player and for his club, which allowed him to do it.”
The Malian Football Federation (FMF) published a statement in support of their player “in the exercise of his freedom of expression”:
“Players are citizens like any other whose fundamental rights must be protected in all circumstances,” said the FMF.
