Egyptian striker Kouka defends appearing in anti-homophobia match after offensive messages - Talents Abroad

Al-Ahram Weekly

19-05-2025

Le Havre Egyptian striker Ahmed "Kouka" Hassan defended his situation after participating in Saturday's 3-2 win over Strasburg in the final day of the league despite of receiving offensive messages urging him not to play before the game and even after it.
The final day of Ligue 1 witnessed the league's annual anti-homophobia campaign and despite his rejection for the issue, Kouka gave his club the priority amid its critical situation in the competition.
'I have received a lot of offensive messages to not play yesterday's game and even after the game,' Kouka said via X on Sunday night.
'But Yesterday's match was incredibly important for our club, our fans and I couldn't abandon my team mates in the most important game of the season, I gave everything on the pitch for the team, as I always do, but I also had to find a way to stay true to my personal and religious beliefs,' the Egyptian international added.
The 32-year-old Kouka, who joined Le Havre last January from Portuguese side Rio Ave, found his new team struggling at the bottom of the table upon his arrival, but things improved with time.
On Saturday, Kouka came off the bench in the 63rd minute to score for Le Havre, but VAR disallowed the goal, ending the game in a 2-3 win for his team, which avoided relegation and ensured a place in the top flight competition next season.
French giants PSG secured their fourth successive Ligue 1 title this season, ending the competition with 84 points from 34 games.
Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed, who plays for French side Nantes was in the same situation, but unlike Kouka and as usual for him, he refused to play on the same match day for the third successive season.
Mohamed was fined by his club for after his early announcement that he will not play Saturday's game against Montpellier.
Moreover, Aurore Bergé, the French Minister for Equality between Women and Men and the Fight against Discrimination, has called for sanctions against Mohamed.
From his side, Kouka said that he had his way of rejection regardless of abandoning the game.
'The league chose to impose a logo that represents a cause I respectfully do not support due to my faith. I made the decision to cover the logo, not out of disrespect toward anyone but to protect my conscience and remain true to my principles,' Kouka explained.
'I believe that support for any cause should come from the heart and be a matter of personal choice, not a forced obligation,' he added.
Kouka finally called for mutual respect regardless of differences of orientation.
'Respect must go both ways. just as we are asked to respect others, we ask for our beliefs and values to be respected too,' he said.
'I know some people will disagree with my decision, but I acted with sincerity, respect, and a clear conscience.
'Let's keep working to create a world where we can live together peacefully, even when we don't all agree,' the former Ahly player concluded.
Since his arrival last winter, Kouka has made 16 league appearances for the team, netting three goals, including two crucial ones, in two decisive games against Lens and Monaco.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
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