- Young French-Algerian Footballer Enzo Sternal Faces Exclusion from the Under 16 France Team over celebrating a goal by showing an under T-shirt which reads, ‘Allah is great’
- The intensification of Islamophobia in France has become increasingly evident.
The promising young French-Algerian footballer, Enzo Sternal, has been omitted from the U16 French national team due to a religious celebration. Officials from the French Football Federation were reportedly uncomfortable with the player’s act of revealing the phrase “Allah is great” under his jersey while celebrating a goal. The incident occurred in April when he celebrated a goal during a match in the prestigious Montaigu tournament.
Notably, Sternal’s exceptional skills have led to his participation in the U19 category at Olympique de Marseille, a testament to his immense potential in the world of football. His national team coach, José Alcocer, has described him as a friendly, intelligent, and astute young talent. Despite being only 16 years old, Sternal has already earned five caps and scored one goal for the French national team.
Enzo Sternal, a rising star in French football, has Algerian heritage on his mother’s side. Consequently, he may have the opportunity to represent the Algerian national team if approached by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF). The talented striker, who is part of the Olympique de Marseille training centre is regarded as one of the brightest prospects in global football. In the summer of 2022, he made a noteworthy move to OM, securing a deal worth approximately 550,000 euros, including bonuses and a percentage of any potential future transfer fee, a remarkable achievement for a 15-year-old player.
Islamophobia in France is evidently escalating to heightened levels. These developments demonstrate the challenges faced by Muslims who openly express their faith in a public context, contributing to a growing concern about religious discrimination within the country.
