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Nantes coach Antoine Kombouare explains why he dropped Jaouen Hadjem out of the squad to face Reims on Saturday because the player refused to break his fast.
Nantes boss Antoine Kombouare explained his controversial decision to leave Jaouen Hadjem out of the squad to face Reims on Saturday because the player refused to break his fast.
The 59-year-old French manager came under criticism for his decision to leave the 20-year-old left-back out of the squad; he has now given reasons for his decision.
What Kombouare said
Kombouare explained that the decision was not novel, but rather a long-standing guideline he has stuck to throughout his coaching career.
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He revealed that it was a policy of his to leave players who are fasting out of matchday squads.
He said that he respected Hadjem's religious beliefs and that the decision to leave him out of the squad was not a sanction, but instead a guideline.
He also revealed that he had no issues with players fasting during midweek training, but believes footballers should not fast and play football together.
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17:24 - 02.04.2023
Nantes player misses Ligue 1 game after refusing to break Ramadan fast
Nantes player Jaouen Hadjam was left out of the squad that lost to Reims after refusing to break his Ramadan fast
"It’s his choice, and I respect it. This is not a sanction, but I have a framework," he told L'Equipe
"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 game day, you should not fast. And those who fast are not in the squad. I don’t want them to pick up an injury.“
The left-back reportedly agreed to break his fast for away games, but like the match against Lens, he refuses to do so for home games.
However, according to the coach, other Muslim players in the squad had agreed to break their fast for the match against Reims.
Nantes were eventually beaten soundly, 3-0, by Will Still's side.
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what happened
As we reported previously, in a battle between faith and duty, Nantes Algerian defender, Jaouen Hadjam, chose faith after defying coach Antoine Kombouare’s ultimatum to break his fast or miss out on the game against Reims in Ligue 1.
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Hadjam was left out of the Nantes squad completely after making it clear that he would not break his fast under any circumstances, even if it meant he could not play for Nantes.
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