Former midfielder Nemanja Matic has been slapped with a two-match ban after covering up an LGBTQ+ logo. The 36-year-old is now plying his trade for Lyon in France, with the incident occurring during his side's final match of the 2024/25 campaign.

Matic was named on the bench for Lyon's season-ending clash against Angers and was introduced to the action with just over 20 minutes remaining. Ahead of the final round of matches, an LGBTQ+ logo had been added to the sleeve of every club shirt as part of Ligue 1's annual campaign against homophobia. But when Matic was brought on to replace Tanner Tessmann, it became apparent that the Serbian had covered up the logo with tape.

The actions of some players around the LGBTQ+ campaign proved controversial, with Le Havre forward Ahmed Hassan also using tape to cover the logo on his sleeve.

And Nantes forward Mostafa Mohamed opted not to play in his team's match against Montpellier, citing personal beliefs. It was the third time the Egypt international had pulled out of the initiative.

According to Belgian outlet , Matic and Hassan have both been slapped with two-match bans by the French Football Federation. They will also reportedly undertake an awareness campaign focused on homophobia in football. Mohamed, meanwhile, avoided any sanctions.

In May, reported that Lens defender Jonathan Gradit had been heard directing a homophobic insult in the tunnel during his side's showdown with Monaco on the same weekend.

And the various incidents prompted France's sports minister Marie Barsacq to release a statement as she explained: "Football has a massive platform, and the [French Football] Federation is determined to put this issue on the clubs' and supporters' agenda.

"Homophobic insults and behaviour are no longer acceptable. Society has evolved, and the language in football must change with it. There's a full range of sanctions available, and they must be applied."

Matic spent five seasons at Manchester United between 2017 and 2022 after joining the Red Devils from Chelsea in a £40million deal.

He contributed four goals and 11 assists in 189 appearances for the 13-time Premier League champions but was unable to help them win a single trophy during a barren period for the club.

The talented midfielder, who has been capped 48 times by Serbia and represented his country at the World Cup in 2018, left United to join Roma and then linked up with Lyon in January 2024.