Footballer MOHAMED CAMARA handed match ban for covering anti-homophobia badge on his jersey with a tape (PHOTOs)

Friday, May 31, 2024 - Monaco midfielder, Mohamed Camara has been suspended for four games after taping over the LGBTQ+ logo on his kit.

Camara, a Muslim, covered up the badge on the front of his shirt with white tape as Monaco beat Nantes 4-0 in their final Ligue 1 game of the season, with the 24-year-old scoring a penalty in that game.

The Malian football star refused to take part in the initiative because of 'religious reasons'.

The French Football League (LFP) released a statement which read: '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.

Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro said that the club supports Ligue 1's LGBTQ+ support campaign and added that discussions will be held with Camara.

Scuro told French media: 'It was a personal initiative from Mo Camara. We will have this conversation with Mo internally. Internally, we will discuss this situation.'

Camara refused to stand in front of an anti-homophobia banner prior to the game.

French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera had called for penalties for both Camara and Monaco.

'It is unacceptable behaviour,' she told radio station RTL. 'I had the chance to tell the Ligue de Professionnel (LFP) what I thought about it and I think such behaviour must be subject to the strongest sanctions against the player and the club which allowed it to happen.'

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