LONDON: Midfielder Mahamadou Diawara has left the French Under-19 (B-19) squad after disagreeing with the new regulations of the French Football Federation (FFF) that prohibit Muslim players from fasting during Ramadan while training with the national squad.
Diawara reportedly felt uncomfortable with the new regulations affecting the B-16 squad up to the senior level and decided to leave the team and return to his club Lyon.
FFF confirmed Diawara's action and called up Nantes player Dehmaine Tabibou Assoumani as a replacement.
"Some players are not happy with the new regulations," said an agent representing several players in the French youth and senior squads.
"They feel that their religion is not being respected but some are unwilling to confront the association. However, Diawara remained unhappy, so he left the team."