Mohamed Camara

Mohamed Camara (born 6 January 2000) is a Malian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Qatar Stars League club Al Sadd and the Mali national team.

Club career Camara started his career at Real Bamako before joining Red Bull Salzburg on five-year deal in 2018.

On 8 January 2019, he was loaned to TSV Hartberg for the rest of the season.

On 18 February 2021, Camara was suspended for three months of all club and international football activities by UEFA, following a doping investigation conducted by UEFA in which Camara tested positive after taking an altitude sickness medicine prescribed by the Malian National Team Doctor.

On 14 August 2022, Monaco announced that Camara signed a five-year contract with the club.

On 30 July 2024, Camara signed a five-year contract with Qatari side Al Sadd.

International career Camara debuted for the Mali national team in a 2–1 friendly loss to South Africa on 13 October 2019.

In December 2021, Camara was selected by coach Mohamed Magassouba to participate in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

On January 2, 2024, he was selected from the list of 27 Malian players selected by Éric Chelle to compete in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Controversy

On 19 May 2024, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) celebrated the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. During this event, Camara covered the campaign logo on his jersey, which featured the word 'Homophobie', with a red cross using two pieces of white tape. He also removed the LFP logo in rainbow colors on the sleeves with a black tape. Before the event, he refused to pose for the pre-match group photo in which the football players posed in front of the campaign logo. The French Minister of Equal Opportunities and French Sports Minister condemned his actions. The sports minister called his actions "unacceptable behavior" and asked for the "strongest sanctions" against Camara. In reference to his actions, the minister of equality tweeted, "Homophobia is not an opinion, it's a crime. And homophobia kills. There must be strict punishment for Mohamed Camara." The LFP summoned Camara for a disciplinary hearing. Monaco's general manager Thiago Scuro apologized and cited religious reasons for the actions of Camara, a Muslim. However, the Malian Football Federation issued a support letter for his actions, citing "fundamental rights". On 30 May 2024, the LFP suspended Camara for four matches.

Career statistics Club

International

Scores and results list Mali's goal tally first. Austrian Cup: 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22

Mali U17 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations: 2017

Mali U20 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations: 2019

Individual Austrian Bundesliga Team of the Year: 2021–22