Nantes boss Antoine Kombouare has dropped Algerian footballer Jaouen Hadjam from his squad for their Ligue 1 clash against Reims after the player refused to break his Ramadan fast.
The 20-year-old Hadjam joined the Ligue 1 side in a three-and-a-half-year contract from Paris FC in January.
He has so far played nine league games for the club but was not named in their squad for Sunday’s fixture against Reims.
Kombouare told reporters after the match that the Algerian was dropped after insisting on not breaking his Ramadan fast.
The manager is reluctant to pick players who fast on match-days.
“I’m a coach, I put rules in place,” the 59-year-old said.
“During the week, there are no problems with players fasting.
“But on matchday, you should not fast, and those who fast are not in the squad. I don’t want them to pick up an injury.
“It’s his choice and I respect it. This is not a sanction, but I have a framework.”
