The French top league club Nantes is fighting against relegation with one match remaining – at home to Montpellier on Saturday – where a win is needed to definitely secure the contract.
The match is part of the round that will highlight the international day against homophobia, where all clubs in the French league are participating.
But Nantes' Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed refuses to participate.
"Specific deeply rooted values, linked to my origin and my faith, make it difficult for me to participate in such an initiative", he writes on Instagram.
The 27-year-old national team player means that his refusal does not show rejection or condemnation, but only a "loyalty to what makes me who I am".
"I believe in mutual respect – the respect we owe each other, but also the respect we owe ourselves and our conviction", he continues.
Mohamed has missed matches before – which have also been in connection with the French league's work against homophobia.
Nantes has announced that the player will be fined if he refuses to play this weekend's match. According to reports, the fine will be donated to an organization that works against discrimination of LGBTQI people.
