Monaco star who TAPED OVER an anti-homophobia badge on his kit is given a four-match ban... after his country's FA backed the Muslim footballer for his 'religious reasons'

Monaco midfielder Mohamed Camara has been suspended for four games after taping over the LGBTQ+ logo on his kit.

Camara, a Muslim, covered up the badge on the front of his shirt with white tape as Monaco beat Nantes 4-0 in their final Ligue 1 game of the season, with the 24-year-old scoring a penalty in that game.

He didn't take part in the initiative because of 'religious reasons'. 

The French football league (LFP) released a statement which read: 'After hearing the player Mohamed Camara, and noting his refusal during the meeting to carry out one or more actions to raise awareness of the fight against homophobia, the Commission decided to impose a four-match suspension. 

Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro said that the club supports Ligue 1's LGBTQ+ support campaign and added that discussions will be held with Camara.

Scuro told French media: 'It was a personal initiative from Mo Camara. We will have this conversation with Mo internally. Internally, we will discuss this situation.' 

Camara refused to stand in front of an anti-homophobia banner prior to the game.

French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera had called for penalties for both Camara and Monaco.

'It is unacceptable behaviour,' she told radio station RTL. 'I had the chance to tell the Ligue de Professionnel (LFP) what I thought about it and I think such behaviour must be subject to the strongest sanctions against the player and the club which allowed it to happen.'

Mali international Camara was backed in his home country for his stance.

Camara has been at Monaco since 2022, when he joined from Red Bull Salzburg.

Nabil Bentaleb, who previously played for Tottenham and Newcastle, also appeared to avoid being involved in the pre-match photo in front of an anti-homophobia banner ahead of Lille's game against Nice.

The midfielder crouched down to tie his shoelace to avoid being in the photo.