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For declining to play against Toulouse on Sunday as all clubs from France wore rainbow-colored numbers on their shirts to promote the battle against homophobia, Nantes has fined striker Mostafa Mohamed. All players in the top two divisions of France wore shirts with rainbow-colored numbers, and captains and officials wore armbands as part of a campaign against homophobia. The rainbow-numbered shirts will now be auctioned with the money raised going to three organisations that work to end discrimination against LGBTQ people.
Although Nantes sorely needed points as they attempted to move out of the relegation zone, Mostafa Mohamed declined to participate in his team's 0-0 draw at Toulouse in order to avoid being connected with the LGTBQ campaign. As a result, he will now receive a fine from the team, but he won't be banned from competition. The specific fine amount has not been made public yet. The fine amount is a;so set to be donated to a charity which supports members of the LGBTQ community who have been a victim of discrimination.
Mostafa Mohamed has fared well individually for the club as he has scored eight goals so far. Nantes, although, are currently in a tough spot in the Ligue 1 table as they have managed to win just six games out of 35. They are ranked at the 17th position, just inches away from a possible relegation. They still have three games in their hands to bring a change in their fortune. Nantes will face Montpellier in their next fixture which will take place on Saturday night at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes, France.