It seems that the Algerian star, Joan Hajjam, will miss the important match that will bring together his team, Nantes, this evening, Wednesday, against its guest, Olympique Lyon, in the framework of the French Football Cup semi-finals, due to fasting.
Yesterday, Tuesday, Nantes coach, Antoine Compouire, announced the list of players participating in the match, which was devoid of the name of the Algerian star, Joan Hajjam again.
The coach said in a press conference, according to the Al-Hurra website, quoting French reports: "When Ramadan is over Hijam will be back in action".
The Algerian player was excluded from participating with his team in the match that Reims gathered in the framework of the French League championship, which they lost 3-0.
At that time, Comporay justified his exclusion of the player by saying: "There is no room for discussing Juan’s exclusion .. I support those who fast, but on match days he should not fast .. It is not a punishment, but I am the one who sets the laws, and he chose his religious belief and I respect that".
Hajjam has been playing with Nantes since last January, with a contract that extends to 2027.
Joan also chose to play for the Algerian national team at the expense of the French national team last March and participated in his first international match against Niger in the framework of the African Cup of Nations qualifiers, which ended with a victory. "Desert warriors" with a clean goal.
It should be noted that the French Football Federation has refused to grant a time-out during matches to give Muslim players the opportunity to break their fast, citing neutrality and maintaining equal opportunities for all teams.
The Nantes team had defeated its counterpart, Lens, 2-1, and reached the French Cup semi-finals for the current season 2022-2023.
Before that, Nantes rose to the quarter-finals of the French Cup, after beating Angers on penalties 4-4 2 after a 1-1 draw after regular time.
The yellow team will face the winner of the other semi-final, which brings together the Toulouse and Anse team, and it will be held tomorrow, Thursday.
