Nantes goalkeeper Lopes fakes an injury to let Muslim teammates break their fast
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Nantes goalkeeper Anthony Lopes goes to ground during the Ligue 1 match against Le Havre AC, allowing fasting teammates a brief moment to break their Ramadan fast.
FC Nantes goalkeeper Anthony Lopes drew widespread attention during his side’s Ligue 1 encounter against Le Havre AC after appearing to go down with an injury to allow fasting teammates a brief opportunity to break their fast.
The incident occurred in the 74th minute of the second half at Stade de la Beaujoire, during the 23rd round of the Ligue 1 season. Lopes fell to the ground, claiming discomfort in his left hamstring, prompting medical staff to enter the pitch and forcing a temporary halt in play.
During the short stoppage, several Muslim players from Nantes were seen heading to the touchline to consume water and dates to break their Ramadan fast at sunset.
Reports suggested that the 35-year-old Portuguese goalkeeper’s actions created the opportunity for the players to eat and drink, amid regulations in French football that do not permit matches to be paused for religious reasons. This policy contrasts with other competitions, including the Premier League, where referees have allowed brief pauses at sunset to enable fasting players to break their fast during Ramadan.
Once his teammates had finished, Lopes rose and resumed play without showing visible signs of injury, a moment widely interpreted as an act of solidarity within the squad.
The match ended in a crucial 2–0 victory for Nantes, lifting the club to 17 points in 17th place, the first of the automatic relegation spots, while Le Havre remained on 26 points in 13th position.
The fixture also saw Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed named among the substitutes but not featuring in the contest.
The episode has reignited discussion around the French league’s stance on religious accommodations during matches, particularly during Ramadan, as other major European competitions continue to adopt measures aimed at supporting Muslim players observing the fast.
