Nantes will reportedly impose a fine on Mostafa Mohamed and donate the amount to a charity organization.
According to French outlet L’EQUIPE, Mostafa Mohamed will be fined by FC Nantes after refusing to play in Saturday’s crucial Ligue 1 fixture against Montpellier, which is also the league’s annual campaign against homophobia.
The Egyptian forward, who also previously declined to take part in the initiative, informed the club of his decision shortly before the squad’s departure for a two-day training camp.
Nantes, fighting to secure their top-flight status on the final day of the season, will now be without the striker for what is possibly their most important match of the season.
The French club’s manager, Antoine Kombouaré, initially downplayed the situation by citing a minor muscle issue during his pre-match press conference.
However, reports later confirmed that the forwar’s absence was deliberate. This marks the third consecutive year he has opted out of participating in matches tied to the league’s anti-homophobia awareness efforts.
In response, Nantes have decided to impose an unspecified, but reportedly significant financial penalty on Mostafa Mohamed, with the fine to be donated to a related charity.