Monaco midfielder Mohamed Camara has been suspended for four matches after he covered up anti-homophobia messages on his shirt.
The 24-year-old Mali international placed white tape over the campaign logo on his chest during the club’s 4-0 win over Nantes in Ligue 1 on 19 May.
The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) announced the ban, stating the decision was made after hearing from Camara and considering his refusal “to carry out one or more actions to raise awareness of the fight against homophobia.”
Last week, France’s sports minister, Amelie Oudea-Castera, told French radio station RTL that Camara should face “the strongest sanctions.”
On the final day of the season, all Ligue 1 clubs wore campaign logos on their kits, and the competition’s emblem on team shirts featured rainbow colors, as part of an initiative by the LFP, which oversees the top two tiers of French football.
Camara also covered up the rainbow emblem.
The Malian Football Federation released a statement supporting Camara, asserting that “players are citizens like any others, whose fundamental rights must be protected in all circumstances.”
Meanwhile, Monaco’s chief executive, Thiago Scuro, told French media that the club supports the LFP’s campaign and will address the situation with Camara “internally.”