Muslim French athletes are facing significant oppression and racism due to their religion, with the latest example being the French Football Federation’s ban on Muslim players breaking their fast during matches in the "Ligue 1" league.

During the holy month of Ramadan, French stadiums witnessed religious discrimination against Muslim players in the league, unlike other leagues that allowed Muslim players to practice their religious rituals. Referees were prevented from stopping matches to allow fasting players to break their fast, as is the case in the English and Dutch leagues.

Some French sports observers believe that the manifestations of racial and religious discrimination experienced by Muslim players in France will push a group of young players of Muslim origin to leave the French teams and play for their home countries due to the pressures that Muslim players face, which have a significant impact on them. There is a trend among talents of North African descent to represent Maghreb countries, starting from the upcoming international break, which is what happened with the player of Algerian origin, Houssem Aouar, who announced his intention to wear the jersey of his home country.

Investigative journalist Romain Molina revealed that the French Football Federation deals with its Muslim players who fast during Ramadan with the logic of "Do you fast in Ramadan? It’s easy, you won’t be called up to the national team."

Several athletes have faced extensive discrimination campaigns that violate their rights as citizens. For example, Salimata Silla was prevented from competing in an official competition because of her hijab, which was attributed to a law passed by the French parliament that prohibits wearing clothing with religious connotations in sports competitions. The exclusion of the player was met with condemnation.

The controversy over the hijab resurfaced in France after the French company "Decathlon", which specializes in selling sports equipment, announced its intention to market a sports hijab for veiled women in the French markets. However, the French company backed down from its decision to launch the product after a wave of objections from political and media circles within the country, and a broad attack from anti-Islam groups.

When he was a player for Paris Saint-Germain, Idrissa Gueye refused to participate in a game to avoid wearing the French team jersey, which carries a logo that supports sexual deviation. The team’s coach justified the absence of the midfield star from the match "for personal reasons." The French Football Federation asked the player to clarify his position, which forced him to leave the team and move to Everton during the current season. There were widespread solidarity campaigns with the player on social media.

More than 5 million Muslims live in France according to many studies, making Islam the second religion in the country. However, representation of Muslims in state institutions, government, parliament, and media remains very weak, which is due to several factors, the most important of which is the widespread fear or "Islamophobia" in France on a large scale.

Source: IUMS &  online sources.