Former Man United star BANNED for taping over pride badge as he refused to endorse anti-homophobia campaign
Former Manchester United star Nemanja Matic has received a ban in France after taping over a LGBTQ + logo during a match.
Matic, who now plays for Lyon, has been hit with a two-game ban after covering the rainbow-coloured Ligue 1 logo on his shirt against Angers on the final day of the season.
Ligue 1 runs an annual anti-homophobia campaign which asks players to wear the imagery and sees banners display in stadiums.
Another player, Le Havre midfielder Ahmed Hassan, has received the same banafter covering his logo. However, Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed has not been punished after refusing to take part in the final match of the season.
Matic is believed to be an adherent of the Serbian Orthodox Christian church while Mohamed and Hassan are Muslim.
Matic and Hassan have also been asked to take part in an awareness campaign about homophobia in football, as per HLN.
France's sports minister Marie Barsacq said: 'Football has a huge platform and the federation wants to bring this issue to the attention of clubs and supporters.
'Homophobic insults and behavior are no longer acceptable. Society has developed and football must follow suit.'
Ligue 1's initiative, which has now seen five editions, has seen a stir annually with players refusing to take part, typically for reasons of faith.
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