France’s sports minister has called for sanctions against Monaco football club after one of its players covered a message against homophobia on the team’s jersey during the final league match on Sunday.
During the French championship’s annual campaign against discrimination, each team wore a badge with the word “homophobia” crossed out. However, Monaco midfielder Mohamed Camara covered this badge in his team’s 4–0 win over Nantes and boycotted the pre-match group photo, where players stood in front of a banner with the same message.
French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra labeled Camara’s actions “unacceptable” and demanded “firm sanctions” against both the player and the club. Aurore Bergé, French Minister of Equal Opportunities, also condemned Camara on social media, stating, “Homophobia is not an opinion, it is a crime. And homophobia kills. Mohamed Camara must be severely punished.”
Monaco coach Adi Hütter expressed that the club supported the league’s initiative, noting that Camara’s actions were “a personal choice.” The club plans to address the situation with Camara internally.
For the fourth consecutive season, French professional clubs have been encouraged to use rainbow-colored numbers, armbands, or badges to support the LGBTQ movement, frequently sparking similar controversies.
In 2022, Idrissa Gueye, a Senegalese-born midfielder then playing for PSG, refused to wear a rainbow-colored jersey. Senegalese President Macky Sall supported Gueye, asserting that “his religious convictions must be respected.” Last year, Nantes fined Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed for similar reasons. Camara did not play in last season’s equivalent match.