Mohamed Diarra (left) in a Lyon shirt in a French League match (French)
The exclusion of French club Lyon player Mohamed Diarra from the French U-19 national team, due to his refusal to breakfast during the camp days, sparked widespread anger on social media platforms, and the player received widespread support and praise for his stance.
RMC Radio reported that the French Federation issued instructions to the national teams not to modify training times or conditions in accordance with Ramadan, and also issued instructions to refuse fasting during the entire camp days and not only on match days.
According to the newspaper, Diarra, who was on the U-19 team’s roster, was informed of the new instructions before arriving at the camp, so he did not join the team, and the federation announced its replacement and selected Nantes player Demaine Thibault.
The pioneers of the social media platforms paid tribute to Diarra through his accounts, appreciating his stance and his keenness to fast despite the pressures, and despite his young age and his desire to participate with the national team.
Bloggers considered what France is doing to be clear discrimination against Muslim players, and this is something repeated every Ramadan, and no other country does it, as the rest of the leagues allow all players to fast even on match days.
Activist Jason Brockers commented, through his account on the
Saudi journalist Abdul Hadi Al-Mustadi wrote, “What the French Federation is doing has absolutely nothing to do with football or how it is managed. It targets young players and compromises between their love of football and their Islamic religion.”
Former Chelsea star Demba Ba, through his account on X, denounced the actions of the French Federation, which he described as “an attempt to erase the identity of Muslim players.”
"Have you ever imagined the positive impact on players in their performance and towards their coaches and managers, if they received support instead of condemnation," Demba Ba said.
Because they refuse to use the facilities in the style of their lives when they choose the right place for their entendres, but they are not... they are connected to the Muslim world. If the video or otherwise, it's one part of the identity of the essay on the effect!
You can imagine your dream… https://t.co/09QM4U1vRv
— Demba Ba (@dembabafoot) March 20, 2024
Activists and bloggers denounced the policies of the French Football Federation, despite the fact that Islam is the second religion in France, and Muslims represent a large percentage of national team players, and their historical star, Zinedine Zidane, is an Arab Muslim.
Journalist Amin Sanusi commented, “French secularism is the Football Association asking players to refrain from fasting until they are called up for the national teams! Islamophobia does not only exist, but it is systemic and systematic.”
Bloggers confirmed that France's discriminatory policies against Muslims push a large number of dual nationality players to choose their countries of origin to represent them, and perhaps they may follow them home and choose to represent the Malian national team.
This is the account of our brother Mohamed Diawara. Support him with any word after the bad treatment he received from the French Federation!
- They were so disgraceful that they did not communicate with him and inform him of the exclusion decision. He was known by the club and his colleagues.@M_dwr8
- Abdulhadi (@AHADI4) March 20, 2024
What the French Federation is doing has absolutely nothing to do with football or how it is managed. It targets young players and bargains with them between their love of football and their Islamic religion!
Here you go
: @FFF
- Abdulhadi (@AHADI4) March 20, 2024
Claiming freedoms and respecting the beliefs of others are false slogans practiced by the West to spread their dirty ideas and agenda, and they stop only at what they want to spread.
Anything that conflicts with them and their goals
is prevented and fought, and the dirtiest person who implements these actions is the country that was once a dumping ground for waste, so do not be surprised by it https://t.co/LXMsSgqBRH
- Mohammd alajmi (@RMD23_) March 20, 2024
The players who played in the finals of the Champions League next year, the purpose of the sporting performance is not yet valid. What does this argument say? On the other hand, you will save it, it will save you! https://t.co/gOv7PnpqeU
— JasonBrokerss (@JasonBrokerss) March 20, 2024
Laïcité à la France, it's a football federation that has no children in their selection.
This Islamophobia is not just a reality, this is a system! https://t.co/NnYwPdGhjp
- Amine Snoussi (@amin_snoussi) March 20, 2024
A Football Federation stays in the privacy and security of its players in INTERDISANT??? Why are you here? What does this mean? https://t.co/uTY0i9EsNq
- Sebastien-Abdelhamid (@SAbdelhamid) March 20, 2024
Football is temporary, Jannah is forever. We're with you Mahamadou Diawara https://t.co/VaBsyqA3UD
— Buddo. (@_rahims) March 21, 2024
God willing, I have a large carriage with Mali and other people who live in different countries to find the light 🤲🏾 https://t.co/CqWiw24rJt
- SOUAÏ☄️🇸🇳 (@leegalsen) March 20, 2024
Many thanks to Mahamadou Diawara who never went home to live in France ☝🏿 https://t.co/db9Zuxn2c6
— HIM. 🇸🇳🇬🇼 (@HaroldMndy) March 20, 2024
Source: Al Jazeera