Absent during the meeting between Toulouse and FC Nantes because of the campaign against homophobia, Mostafa Mohamed explained himself on social networks. "I respect all differences. I respect all beliefs and convictions. This respect extends to others but also includes respect for my personal beliefs. Given my roots, my culture, the importance of my convictions and beliefs, it was not possible for me to participate in this campaign. I hope my decision will be respected," the Egyptian wrote. Before him, Zakaria Aboukhlal of Toulouse had also justified his decision not to play this match, stressing that he was not "the most appropriate person to participate in this campaign."
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Sports Minister calls for sanctions
Guest of Stade 2 Sunday evening, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra reacted to these refusals to wear the rainbow jersey. "I deeply regret that we do not have 100% of the players in France who find themselves in this message of non-discrimination. We are in a country that has always promoted respect for others, for human rights. It is essential that we can all find ourselves in such a basic message of living together," she said.
Insisting on the "responsibility of the clubs", the Minister of Sports called for dialogue and sanctions against these players. Several players refused to wear the rainbow jersey. In addition to Aboukhlal and Mohamed, Guingampais Donatien Gomis and Toulouse Moussa Diarra, Farès Chaïbi and Saïd Hamulic did not participate in the match. Last year the ex-Parisian Idrissa Gueye had also made this choice.