Latest news with #Nantes'
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nantes fires coach Kombouaré after struggle to stay in Ligue 1
FILE - Nantes' head coach Antoine Kombouare directs his players during the Europa League play-off second leg soccer match between Nantes and Juventus FC on Feb. 23, 2023 in Nantes, western France. (AP Photo/Mathieu Pattier, File) NANTES, France (AP) — Nantes fired coach Antoine Kombouaré on Tuesday after a difficult season where the club battled to stay in Ligue 1. Nantes finished 13th in the 18-team league and top-flight survival was not certain until the final round. Advertisement 'FC Nantes announces the end of its collaboration with Antoine Kombouaré, head coach of the professional team,' Nantes posted on X. 'The club sincerely thanks Antoine Kombouaré and his staff for their professionalism and dedication.' The 61-year-old Kombouaré had one year left on his contract. He remains a popular figure at the club, having saved it from relegation in 2021 and winning the French Cup in 2022 — the club's first trophy in 21 years. Kombouaré had a difficult relationship with Nantes president Waldemir Kita, who fired him in 2023 and re-hired him amid another relegation scrap the following year. Advertisement Kombouaré was part of the Nantes team when the club's La Beaujoire stadium opened in 1984, and played 177 games as a rugged defender for Nantes, which has won eight league titles. ___ AP soccer:
Metro
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Metro
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
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nantes' Mohamed opts out of Ligue 1 anti-homophobia campaign, cites personal beliefs
Nantes' Egypt international, Mostafa Mohamed, announced he would not participate in his club's final Ligue 1 fixture on Saturday, opting out of a league-wide anti-homophobia initiative. The 27-year-old striker, who also skipped the campaign last season, cited personal beliefs tied to his faith and origins for the decision. Nantes' Egypt international Mostafa Mohamed said he would not take part in his club's final Ligue 1 fixture on Saturday, citing personal beliefs for his decision to opt out of a league-wide anti-homophobia initiative. French clubs are set to mark the annual campaign by having players wear rainbow-coloured armbands during matches this weekend. Mohamed, 27, said that he respected others' choices but that participating would conflict with his personal convictions. "I'm not comfortable speaking in public, but today I feel the need to clarify my decision, without seeking to provoke debate," Mohamed said in a statement on social media. "Everyone carries their own story, culture and sensitivity. 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," he added. Mohamed also declined to take part in the campaign last season for similar reasons. (FRANCE 24 with Reuters) Read more on FRANCE 24 EnglishRead also:'Guéhi defies FA': Crystal Palace captain writes own message on rainbow armbandAmazon Prime under fire for homophobic chants broadcast during PSG match
France 24
16-05-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Nantes' Mohamed opts out of Ligue 1 anti-homophobia campaign, cites personal beliefs
Nantes' Egypt international Mostafa Mohamed said he would not take part in his club's final Ligue 1 fixture on Saturday, citing personal beliefs for his decision to opt out of a league-wide anti-homophobia initiative. French clubs are set to mark the annual campaign by having players wear rainbow-coloured armbands during matches this weekend. Mohamed, 27, said that he respected others' choices but that participating would conflict with his personal convictions. "I'm not comfortable speaking in public, but today I feel the need to clarify my decision, without seeking to provoke debate," Mohamed said in a statement on social media. "Everyone carries their own story, culture and sensitivity. 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," he added. "This choice is personal. It is neither a rejection nor a judgment – it's simply a matter of devotion to what defines me. I just hope this decision will be understood." Mohamed also declined to take part in the campaign last season for similar reasons. Nantes have not commented publicly on his absence for Saturday's match but French media reported that he would be fined by the club. The Ligue 1 campaign against homophobia, now in its fifth year, aims to promote inclusion and raise awareness around LGBTQ+ rights in football.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nantes' Mohamed cites 'origins and faith' for skipping anti-homophobia match
Mostafa Mohamed (L) will sit out Nantes' final match of the Ligue 1 season which takes place on the international day against homophobia (Sebastien SALOM-GOMIS) Nantes forward Mostafa Mohamed said Friday his refusal to play a crucial game in his team's battle against relegation on the final day of the Ligue 1 season, which will see all clubs mark the international day against homophobia, was motivated by religious convictions. "Certain deeply rooted values, linked to my origins and my faith, make it difficult for me to take part in this initiative," wrote the 27-year-old Egyptian international in a post on Instagram. Advertisement Mohamed said his refusal to take part "expresses neither rejection nor judgement, only a loyalty to what makes me me". "Everyone has their own history, culture and sensibility. Living together also means recognising that this diversity can be expressed in different ways by different people," he added. "I believe in mutual respect -- the respect we owe to others, but also the respect we owe to ourselves and our convictions." Mohamed has already missed games in the past which have coincided with French league campaigns against homophobia. In 2023, the striker refused to play in a match against Toulouse when the teams wore shirts with rainbow-coloured numbers on the back. Mohamed's entourage said he faced threats if he played in the game. Advertisement On Thursday, Nantes announced the player would be fined for sitting out Saturday's match against already relegated Montpellier. A source close to the eight-time champions said Mohamed's fine would be donated to a charity fighting LGBTQ discrimination. Nantes need to win at home in their final game of the season to be certain of avoiding relegation. They are two points above the drop zone although their favourable goal difference means a draw will almost certainly suffice. hap/ban/nf/pi
