Lyon midfielder Nemanja Matic has been suspended for two matches after covering an anti-homophobia message on his shirt during a Ligue 1 game.
The 36-year-old Serbian international concealed the campaign logo on his sleeve during Lyon’s 2-0 victory over Angers on May 17.
The anti-homophobia initiative, now in its fifth year in France’s top division, typically requires players to wear rainbow-colored symbols while stadiums display supportive banners. However, Matic and Le Havre striker Ahmed Hassan (32) both opted to cover the messages with tape.
Ligue 1’s disciplinary committee responded by issuing both players two-match bans, with an additional two-game suspension held in reserve. Matic, whose contract with Lyon expires at the end of June, has yet to agree on a new deal with the club.
The campaign has faced resistance in recent seasons, with some players citing religious objections. Nantes and Egypt forward Mostafa Mohamed (27) withdrew from his team’s crucial relegation decider against Montpellier, explaining his stance on Instagram:
“I believe in mutual respect—the respect we owe others but also the respect we owe to ourselves and our beliefs. For me, there are deep-rooted values linked to my background and my beliefs that make my participation in this initiative difficult.”
Last season, former Monaco midfielder Mohamed Camara (25) received a four-match ban for covering a similar logo on his jersey. In 2023, several Toulouse players also skipped a match, with the club stating they “expressed their disagreement with the association of their image with the rainbow colors representing the LGBT movement.”
The French league has maintained its stance on enforcing the campaign, emphasizing inclusivity while navigating tensions with players who object on personal or religious grounds. Matic’s ban comes as his future at Lyon remains uncertain ahead of the summer transfer window.
