(AFP) Nantes forward Mostafa Mohamed said Friday his refusal to play a crucial game in his team’s battle against relegation on the final day of the Ligue 1 season, which will see all clubs mark the international day against homophobia, was motivated by religious convictions.
“Certain deeply rooted values, linked to my origins and my faith, make it difficult for me to take part in this initiative,” wrote the 27-year-old Egyptian international in a post on Instagram.
Mohamed said his refusal to take part “expresses neither rejection nor judgement, only a loyalty to what makes me me.”
“Everyone has their own history, culture and sensibility. Living together also means recognising that this diversity can be expressed in different ways by different people,” he added.
