During the team’s final league game, Monaco midfielder Mohamed Camara covered over an LGBTQ support message on the team’s shirt and skipped the pre-match group photo featuring the same message. French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra and the French minister of equality, Aurore Bergé, both condemned Camara’s actions, calling them “unacceptable.” Oudéa-Castéra even called for “firm sanctions” against both the player and the club.
Club’s Response
Monaco coach Adi Hütter stated that the club supports the league’s initiative against discrimination, but mentioned that Camara’s actions were “a personal choice.” The club has mentioned that they will have internal discussions regarding the situation with Camara. This incident highlights the recurring issue where professional clubs in France face controversies surrounding LGBTQ support initiatives.
History of Similar Incidents
This is not the first time a player has refused to participate in supporting LGBTQ initiatives in professional French football. In 2022, Senegalese-born Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye, when playing for Paris Saint-Germain, also did not wear shirts with rainbow-colored numbers. Senegal’s President Macky Sall publicly supported Gueye, stating that “his religious convictions must be respected.” Moreover, last year, Nantes fined Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed for similar reasons. Both Gueye and Mohamed’s actions have sparked debates on respecting personal beliefs in the face of social movements.
The actions of Mohamed Camara have once again brought to light the ongoing challenges faced by professional football clubs in France in supporting LGBTQ rights. The calls for sanctions by the sports minister and the minister of equality indicate the seriousness with which such incidents are being viewed. It remains to be seen what steps Monaco will take in response to this situation and how the broader football community will address these recurring issues surrounding diversity and inclusion.