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Footballer gets two-game ban for hiding anti-homophobia badge
Olympique Lyonnais' Nemanja Matic and Le Havre's Ahmed Hassan were banned for two matches after covering the anti-homophobia emblem on their shirts. A call to raise awareness of tolerance in football.
Footballer gets two-game ban for hiding anti-homophobia badge
Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Nemanja Matic and Le Havre striker Ahmed Hassan were both handed a two-match ban, with an additional two games suspended. This came after they covered up Ligue 1's anti-homophobia symbol on their shirts, the French Ligue 1 announced.
Details of the incidents
The 36-year-old Serbian Matic had put tape over the anti-homophobia badge on his shirt when he came on as a substitute in the game against Angers on May 17th. This encounter was the last matchday of the Ligue 1 season. Matic will have his contract with Lyon expire at the end of the month.
The 32-year-old Egyptian Hassan also received the same punishment. The incident occurred during Le Havre's game against Strasbourg, which ended 3-2 for Le Havre.
Appeal to participate in awareness campaigns
"Furthermore, the committee suggested to the player - which he immediately accepted at the meeting - to take part within the next six months in a campaign to raise awareness in the fight against homophobia in football..." Ligue 1 said in a statement on Thursday.
Planned activities to raise awareness
Ligue 1 had planned for players to wear rainbow symbols on their jerseys or wristbands and display messages in stadiums during the annual awareness campaign. However, there has been uneven participation in recent years, with some players citing personal or religious reasons for not participating.