Nantes and Algerian player Jaouen Hadjam was dropped by Nantes head coach Antoine Kombouare as the player maintained fast for Ramadan. Despite he being a regular starter for the team, he did not feature in the team’s 3-0 defeat to Stade Reims.

Hadjam was always the first choice to face Reims on Sunday, but Kombouare didn’t want to start him at the match as the player denied to break his fast for Ramadan. The coach who received a lot of hate because of this decision later explained his choice on why he decided to leave the regular defender out of the match. This was an important match which would have decided their fate for European qualifications for next season but this loss at the Stade de la Beaujoire will leave Nantes in deep trouble.

The coach later said, “There is no controversy. Those who fast, I support them. On match days, you should not fast. It is not a punishment. I set rules. It’s his choice and I respect it." Nantes will hope not to repeat this same mistake yet again while they prepare themselves for their French Cup semi-final tie against Lyon set to take place on Wednesday.

In England, the Federation have taken initiatives and brace decisions to provide the players with stoppages so that the players can break their fast during matches with no further delay. Players like Mohamed Salah, N'Golo Kante, and Abdoulaye Doucoure have been allowed by officials to break their fast in between the matches in this month of Ramadan.