Matic and Hassan, suspended for hiding anti-homophobia symbol in Ligue 1

Sanctions in Ligue 1 for Hiding Anti-Homophobia Badge

The French Ligue 1 has imposed sanctions on Lyon’s Nemanja Matic and Le Havre’s Ahmed Hassan for covering the anti-homophobia badge on their jerseys. Both players have been suspended for two matches, with another two matches suspended. Matic, 36, covered the badge during Lyon’s 2-0 victory over Angers on May 17, on the final day of the Ligue 1 season. His contract with Lyon expires at the end of this month. Hassan, 32, received the same sanction for an incident during Le Havre’s 3-2 victory over Strasbourg.

Furthermore, the committee proposed Matic, who immediately accepted, to participate in an awareness campaign against homophobia in football within six months, according to a statement from Ligue 1. The Ligue 1 had planned for players to wear rainbow symbols on their jerseys or armbands and display messages in the stadiums as part of their annual awareness campaign.

However, participation has been irregular in recent years, with some players citing personal or religious reasons for not participating.