‘There is no sanction but they stay home’ – Nantes’ Antoine Koumbouaré defends his fasting framework

In an interview with Les Grandes Gueules du Sport, FC Nantes’ manager Antoine Koumbouaré has reconfirmed his stance towards players observing Ramadan. Throughout his managerial career, Koumbouaré has implemented a rule that requires his players to break their fast on matchdays in order to be picked for the squad. 

It’s a decision that caused controversy last season in his previous stint as Nantes manager when Koumbouaré left the Algerian international, Jaouen Hadjam (21), out of the squad for a home tie against Stade de Reims. 

Koumbouaré at the time defended his decision, stating “It’s his choice and I respect it. This is not a sanction, but I have a framework.” He continued, “During the week, there are no problems with fasting players. I’m ready to support them if needed. We know it’s not an easy time. But on a matchday, you should not fast. And those who fast are not in the squad. I don’t want them to pick up an injury.” 

The manager also added that other Muslim players had accepted this ‘framework’ and broke their fast in order to play in matches for Nantes and in that game against Reims. Speaking now to Grandes Gueles, the manager remains committed to this position. 

‘There is no sanction but they stay home’ – Antoine Koumbouaré

Koumbouaré states, “I have my outspokenness and my way of doing things. We have responsible players, who take responsibility for their choices.” He continued, “When we double the training sessions, [those observing Ramadan] only do the morning session, in the afternoon they do what they want. So far everyone agrees.” 

However, on the day of the match, Koumbouaré argues that “When we prepare for a match we have to be together, but to be together on the field it means being with each other when we eat in the morning, or for lunch.” 

He reiterated that he did not believe that his ‘framework’ was a sanction, “For those who do not want to follow the rule, there is no sanction but they stay at home. The player who didn’t want to, it has only happened once. We had a meeting with his mother, his agent, and he decided on his own. We played our match.” 

The returning Nantes manager concluded by suggesting that his position was supported by medical advice, “I think, doctors agree, that when you play in the evening, you are stronger when you have eaten and drunk well.”

The issue of fasting remains a contentious issue within France, with the French Football Federation having been strongly criticised for its own ‘Ramadan framework,’ which has been described by the Red Star manager, Habib Beye, as being “Religious discrimination.”

GFFN | Nick Hartland