Nantes striker opts out of French league’s campaign against homophobia

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Nantes striker opts out of French league’s campaign against homophobia

2025-05-17 21:06 Last Updated At：21:10

PARIS (AP) — At least one Ligue 1 player has refused to take part in Saturday's campaign against homophobia despite many incidents that once again marred the soccer season.

Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed does not want to be associated with the annual initiative in which teams across France wear a special jersey to support the fight against homophobia.

The Egypt forward said he won't play with his team against Montpellier in the season finale, and he is likely to be fined by Nantes.

Mohamed, who had skipped the campaign in previous seasons, cited his “culture and sensitivity” to justify his choice.

“Living together also means recognizing that this diversity can be expressed differently from one person to another,” he wrote on social media. “I believe in mutual respect — the respect we owe others, but also the respect we owe ourselves and our beliefs. As for me, there are deep-rooted values tied to my heritage and my faith, which make participating in this initiative difficult.”

Homophobic insults were heard and insulting banners deployed at Ligue 1 stadiums this season as French soccer authorities continue to struggle to eradicate the problem.

The French league is tracking incidents through reports by match delegates and a reporting platform. It says its disciplinary commission has issued 107 fines totaling 229,000 euros ($255,000) this season and imposed three stand or stadium closures in relation to cases involving discriminatory or offensive chants and banners.

The league said players will wear a specially designed jersey featuring a distinctive badge with the words “Homophobia Football,” where the word “homophobia” is symbolically crossed out. The official competition badge will also be redesigned and will feature rainbow colors. In addition, a giant banner featuring the logo will cover the center circle before kickoff and stadium announcers will address the crowd to raise awareness.

Over the years, French clubs have been sanctioned with fines, and the league's disciplinary commission has ordered the closure of stands. This season, matches have been briefly interrupted by referees because of homophobic chanting. Also, French law provides for a jail term of up to one year and a fine of 45,000 euros ($47,600) for anti-gay insults that are made in public.

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Thousands of nurses go on strike at several major New York City hospitals

NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of nurses in three hospital systems in New York City went on strike Monday after negotiations through the weekend failed to yield breakthroughs in their contract disputes.

The strike was taking place at The Mount Sinai Hospital and two of its satellite campuses, with picket lines forming. The other affected hospitals are NewYork-Presbyterian and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.

About 15,000 nurses are involved in the strike, according to New York State Nurses Association.

“After months of bargaining, management refused to make meaningful progress on core issues that nurses have been fighting for: safe staffing for patients, healthcare benefits for nurses, and workplace violence protections,” the union said in a statement issued Monday. “Management at the richest hospitals in New York City are threatening to discontinue or radically cut nurses’ health benefits.”

The strike, which comes during a severe flu season, could potentially force the hospitals to transfer patients, cancel procedures or divert ambulances. It could also put a strain on city hospitals not involved in the contract dispute, as patients avoid the medical centers hit by the strike.

The hospitals involved have been hiring temporary nurses to try and fill the labor gap during the walkout, and said in a statement during negotiations that they would “do whatever is necessary to minimize disruptions.” Montefiore posted a message assuring patients that appointments would be kept.

“NYSNA’s leaders continue to double down on their $3.6 billion in reckless demands, including nearly 40% wage increases, and their troubling proposals like demanding that a nurse not be terminated if found to be compromised by drugs or alcohol while on the job," Montefiore spokesperson Joe Solmonese said Monday after the strike had started. "We remain resolute in our commitment to providing safe and seamless care, regardless of how long the strike may last.”

New York-Presbyterian accused the union of staging a strike to “create disruption,” but said in a statement that it has taken steps to ensure patients receive the care they need.

"We’re ready to keep negotiating a fair and reasonable contract that reflects our respect for our nurses and the critical role they play, and also recognizes the challenging realities of today’s healthcare environment,” the statement said.

The work stoppage is occurring at multiple hospitals simultaneously, but each medical center is negotiating with the union independently. Several other hospitals across the city and in its suburbs reached deals in recent days to avert a possible strike.

The nurses’ demands vary by hospital, but the major issues include staffing levels and workplace safety. The union says hospitals have given nurses unmanageable workloads.

Nurses also want better security measures in the workplace, citing incidents like a an incident last week, when a man with a sharp object barricaded himself in a Brooklyn hospital room and was then killed by police.

The union also wants limitations on hospitals’ use of artificial intelligence.

The nonprofit hospitals involved in the negotiations say they’ve been working to improve staffing levels, but say the union’s demands overall are too costly.

Nurses voted to authorize the strike last month.

Both New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani had expressed concern about the possibility of the strike. As the strike deadline neared, Mamdani urged both sides to keep negotiating and reach a deal that “both honors our nurses and keeps our hospitals open.”

“Our nurses kept this city alive through its hardest moments. Their value is not negotiable,” Mamdani said.

State Attorney General Letitia James voiced similar support, saying "nurses put their lives on the line every day to keep New Yorkers healthy. They should never be forced to choose between their own safety, their patients’ well-being, and a fair contract.”

The last major nursing strike in the city was only three years ago, in 2023. That work stoppage, at Mount Sinai and Montefiore, was short, lasting three days. It resulted in a deal raising pay 19% over three years at those hospitals.

It also led to promised staffing improvements, though the union and hospitals now disagree about how much progress has been made, or whether the hospitals are retreating from staffing guarantees.