The ban ex-Chelsea and Man Utd star Matic faces for anti-homophobia protest
Former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic could face a substantial ban after he covered an anti-homophobia message on his kit with tape.
Clubs in France sported rainbow-coloured logos on their right sleeve on Saturday to commemorate International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.
But two-time Premier League winner Matic, 36, opted not to participate, instead taping over the message with a strip of white tape.
Matic, currently playing for Ligue 1 side Lyon, came on as a second-half substitute in the 2-0 win over Angers.
Fans quickly spotted Matic had covered up the anti-homophobia message on his kit.
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you.
The Serbia international had no reservations highlighting his protest either as he posted several pictures on social media from the game which showed the message covered up.
Matic is not the first player to cover up an anti-homophobia message, with Monaco's Mohamed Camara receiving a four-match ban for his decision to do so last season.
The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) hit Camara with a suspension as they said the Mali footballer refused to 'carry out one or more actions to raise awareness of the fight against homophobia'.
At the time, France's sports minister called for the 'strongest sanctions' to be taken against Camara and Monaco.
'It is unacceptable behaviour,' sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera told French radio station RTL.
'I had the chance to tell the LFP what I thought about it and I think such behaviour must be subject to the strongest sanctions against the player and the club which allowed it to happen.'
Mostafa Mohamed, who plays for Nantes, has repeatedly refused to engage in the anti-homophobia initiative.
The Egyptian, who cited his personal beliefs as the reason he would not participate, has not featured in any of Nantes' matchday squads that coincide with the league's anti-homophobia initiatives.
As a result he was left out of Nantes' 3-0 win over Montpellier on Saturday.
'Everyone carries their own story, culture and sensitivity,' Mohamed previously said.
'Living together also means recognising that diversity can be expressed differently depending on the person.
'I believe in mutual respect. The respect we owe others, but also the respect we owe to ourselves and our beliefs.
'For me, there are deep-rooted values linked to my background and my beliefs that make my participation in this initiative difficult.' More Trending
Earlier this season, England and Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi wrote 'Jesus loves you' on a rainbow armband that was worn as part of the Premier League's LGBTQ+ inclusion initiative in association with the charity Stonewall.
'The message was just a message of truth and love and inclusivity to be honest,' Guehi said.
'I don't think the message was harmful in any way – that's all I can really say about that to be honest.
'I believe 100% in the words that I wrote – it's a message of truth and love, and I hope people can understand that my faith is my faith, and I'll stand by it for the rest of my life.'
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Queer travellers are boycotting Florida — but there are other ways to fight back
MORE: Gary Neville makes final Premier League top-five prediction with Chelsea missing out
MORE: Jamie Vardy next club odds after playing final game for Leicester City
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
24 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Ange Postecoglou was right man to lead Tottenham forward
The temptation is to say that now Levy will be under pressure. That this time he has raised the stakes. Except that was said every time he pushed a manager out the door. Whether it was Pochettino after his transformational effect on the club, or Mourinho six days before a Carabao Cup final. In that respect nothing ever changes – Levy just sails onwards. He makes what he will describe in a statement as a hard but necessary decision and then a few years later he says the same. Postecoglou gambled everything on winning the Europa League – not just his reputation but the league season too. He did that as injuries engulfed him and also amid the strong sense that alternative coaches were being sounded out. Indeed, there was not a significant word of support from Levy in the crucial final weeks, and that too has an effect on a manager and the relationship with his players and the club's support. Yet Postecoglou pulled it off. Imagine what might be possible with some solidarity. Levy hedged his bets, even dragging out his decision until 16 days after the final in Bilbao and was generally expected to go into next week until Telegraph Sport broke the news of Postecoglou's departure on Friday. By then, with not a word from the club, it had become a self-fulfilling prophecy. The manager had been damaged by the club's failure to back him, and therefore the manager had to go. There feels like change coming at Spurs, with the departure of Donna Cullen – the director who was Levy's closest aide at the club. Vinai Venkatesham has been dropped in as the new chief executive. Yet while Levy is in place one can only assume that the same man is running the club. That is, unless those who control Joe Lewis's majority stake feel differently about it. For Postecoglou, there is a lot to be said for going out this way – with the Europa League in his grasp, and the gratitude of the supporters. He will find himself considerably wealthier on Saturday morning and also with a reputation enhanced. He answered a lot of the questions about his tactical flexibility in the last rounds of the competition and especially the final when United failed to hide their weaknesses as well as Spurs did theirs. Whatever the next Spurs manager achieves, he cannot win the club's first trophy in 17 years. Postecoglou will be due a slice of any future success – having broken the streak and changed the sense of what is possible. His successor will also know that the key to longevity at the club can be confusing. Is it finishing in the Premier League top five places to qualify for the Champions League? Is it winning knockout competitions? Or is it winning knockout competitions that earn qualification for the Champions League? Postecoglou saw Spurs' first trophy in 17 years as the most effective agent for change and went all out to win it. For Levy, one suspects league position is everything. Now he has the benefit of Uefa's Champions League funds he certainly has a better hand to deal to Postecoglou's successor. Although the next man will know that, when things start to go badly, he will be on his own.
Scotsman
24 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Hearts icon Craig Gordon addresses Scotland future with 27-year record on the horizon
Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon is ready to write another chapter in his storied career announcing his testimonial at Tynecastle. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Walking through the door of the Hearts dressing room, a number of his most memorable jerseys hanging on display, the imposing figure of Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon gives a knowing smile and admits 'fairytales don't happen very often in football'. Donning a crisp white T-shirt with the date of his testimonial imprinted on his left chest, the iconic stopper is gearing up for another campaign in maroon having recently signed a one-year contract extension with the club, and will celebrate his astonishing Hearts career by welcoming former club Sunderland for a pre-season friendly on July 26. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A career which seemingly has no expiry date, his 43rd birthday is just around the corner, yet it would surprise no one if he lined up for Scotland at next summer's World Cup should they qualify. His career already one to be admired, there's a confidence about Gordon that knows he has, at least, one more chapter to write. Craig Gordon's £9million move to Sunderland broke a British transfer record in 2007. | Getty Images Hearts and Sunderland are two clubs who have played a pivotal role in Gordon's story. He won the first trophy of his career when his penalty shootout save from Gretna's Derek Townsley helped the Jambos lift the Scottish Cup in 2006. Named the SFWA's Player of the Year in the same year, he was the youngest player to be inducted into the club's Hall Of Fame at the age of 24 just a year later. His Gorgie success paved the way for a move to the English Premier League. Gordon became the most expensive goalkeeper in the history of British football when he completed a £9million transfer to Sunderland in the summer of 2007. He was brought to the Stadium of Light by Roy Keane, who had lit a fire under the Wearsiders in the previous campaign, taking them from the bottom of the EFL Championship all the way to the Premier League in little under eight months. One of the best young goalkeepers in the country, Gordon's arrival was a signal of intent from the Black Cats, evidence that they were back amongst the big boys. Beating Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 with a dramatic late goal on his Premier League debut, his start to life in the English top flight couldn't have gone much better. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It was packed out,' recalls Gordon. 'It was rocking that day. They'd just been promoted, I had missed the build-up and was chucked in just a few days before, but we won the game deservedly. To nick it late on in the first excitement and the buzz of the whole ground. Even outside, coming in on the bus, I remember thinking 'wow, this is a huge club'. That is why I'm delighted they are back in the Premier League now. I wish them all the best for the season.' A regular for Sunderland in his debut campaign, the team avoided relegation with two games to spare. However, three months into the following season, a debilitating spell with injuries started to derail his time at the Stadium of Light. Originally sidelined with a knee problem, Keane had already resigned by the time Gordon was fit enough to return. Battling his way back into the starting XI under new manager Steve Bruce, a broken arm suffered in a collision with Jermain Defoe in a 2-0 defeat at Spurs put him out for three months. Injury followed injury, restricting him to just one appearance in the final year of his contract on Wearside. Before he knew it, his time at Sunderland was over. Released in 2012, the toughest period of his long and storied career ensued. Without a club for over two years, Gordon admits he wondered if his professional career had already come to a shuddering end, as he contemplated quitting the game for good at the age of just 29. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Craig Gordon thought he'd said his Scotland goodbye in last June's pre-Euro 2024 friendly with Finland at Hampden Park. | Getty Images 'When I left Sunderland, probably for the first year, I thought I wouldn't play again,' says Gordon. 'I wasn't particularly trying to get back. I thought my career was more than likely over, until I got into the second year. Through time, it started to repair and got a little bit better. That second year, as that went on, I thought maybe I could try this again. 'I started the rehab process again, gave it 100% and thought 'let's see as many specialists as I can, get as many opinions and I'll make the decision' - I gave it one last shot for another year. If that was the last year, then so be it, but I would have known I gave it everything to have one last shot. Luckily I managed to turn the corner - and I am still going now.' Eventually finding his way back to the professional game, Gordon joined Celtic in 2014 where he stayed for six years, winning five Scottish Premiership titles, five Scottish League Cups and two Scottish Cups in the process, before sealing an emotional return to Hearts in the summer of 2020. A regular in the starting XI, Gordon won more silverware with Hearts as they won the Scottish Championship at a canter, returning to the top flight at the first time of asking. Named the SFWA Footballer of the Year once again the following season, he continued to defy critics by making his long awaited return to the Scotland squad under Steve Clarke. Coined 'Scotland's Peter Pan' by former Celtic teammate Callum McGregor, his vital penalty save in the 2-0 win World Cup qualifying win against Moldova in November 2021 was proof that Gordon was far from done at international level. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It feels like I've had two separate careers,' smiles Gordon. 'They've both been about as long as each other. I've gotten more out of the game than I thought I would. It's just the way it's kind of panned out for me. It felt like a bonus when I first got back playing in Scotland, like time I was never going to get again. But as time has gone on, I've been able to play many, many more games back at international level. It's been two separate journeys, but two very enjoyable ones.' A consistent theme throughout the 42-year-old's career, Gordon continues to upset the odds in 2025. Left out of the Scotland squad for the European Championship in Germany last summer, his late appearance as a substitute in a pre-tournament friendly against Finland felt like a final farewell, with Gordon confessing he himself thought his international career had finally ended as waved goodbye to the sold out Hampden Park crowd when leaving the field following the 2-2 draw. Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon has signed a new one-year contract extension. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group) | SNS Group Just four months later, he was included in the Scotland starting XI for the clash with Croatia in October 2024. Keeping his place until the end of the Nations League campaign, Gordon played a further five times for the Tartan Army as they made the Nations League playoffs, meaning he is now a mere ten appearances away from equalling Jim Leighton's record of being the most capped Scotland goalkeeper of all time - a record which has stood for 27 years. 'You never know what's going to happen in football,' admits Gordon. 'I thought that was my farewell appearance, I didn't expect to be back. All I did was refocus on pre-season with Hearts, and be the best I could be for Hearts. That's all I know. Get back to work and try to be the best version of myself that I know. I managed to get back in as the number one for Hearts, and then six more appearances for Scotland after that. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I'm very proud and privileged to have had such a long career. So many highs along the way, making my debut at Hearts, coming through as a youngster. 1999 was the first time I came in here, right through to winning the Scottish Cup, to leaving to go to Sunderland, playing in the Premier League - one of the best league's in the world, to go and test yourself against the best player was fantastic. Then coming back to, first of all, Celtic and then Hearts. Winning trophies along the way, it's been some journey.
Daily Mail
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Manchester United 'pull ahead in race to sign Viktor Gyokeres' - with 'Sir Jim Ratcliffe offering Ruben Amorim a significant transfer boost'
Manchester United have reportedly moved one step closer in their bid to sign Viktor Gyokeres this summer. Ruben Amroim's side are currently reeling from their worst Premier League campaign in the competition's history, with the Portuguese determined to increase his side's firepower in the transfer window. The disastrous season was compounded by the club's defeat against Tottenham in the Europa League final last month. Throughout the campaign both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee failed to inspire confidence leading the line at Old Trafford. As a result Amorim has wasted little time in his search for a suitable frontman this summer. Former Brighton striker Gyokeres has long been touted as United's top transfer target, with the Swede having previously worked under Amorim at Sporting Lisbon where he has enjoyed a prolific spell. Gyokeres has been linked with moves to several clubs across Europe this summer, with Arsenal said to be keeping tabs on him in their own search for a striker. The financial impact United's failure to qualify for European football initially looked to severely damaged their hopes of securing the 27-year-old. However, according to a report from The Sun, the funds to sign Gyokeres this summer may have actually come from a surprising source. According to the report, Sir Jim Ratcliffe's ruthless cost-cutting measures at United have opened up the coffers for Amorim to spend this summer. United's recently released quarterly accounts from the club revealed that the club's operating expenses have dropped by over £40million. Gyokeres, who netted 39 league goals from just 31 starts in the Portuguese top flight last season, reportedly has a release clause of £85million. However, Amorim could ultimately pay significantly less in his bid to reunite with Gyokeres as Sporting are said to be willing to consider bids in the region of £60million to allow their star man to depart.
