Demba is furious with Kombouare for dropping the player who refused to break Ramadan fast

Former Senegal international Demba Ba publicly slated Nantes boss Antoine Kombouare after the coach made the news once more for his handling of players observing Ramadan. Last weekend, Kombouare dropped his left-back Jaouen Hadjam over his unwillingness to break the Ramadan fast on matchday.

Koumbare is clear: "Muslims, either you break your Ramadan fast on matchday, or you're out"

Ba, who used to play for West Ham United, Chelsea and Newcastle United, took to Twitter to criticise the coach.

"I'm amazed that players would not be selected based on their decision to fast on match days. Some people still think that the fasting month of Ramadan is behavioural. For those still wondering, we are talking about a person's identity. A simple question: is it good to ask someone to put aside what makes their identity? A Klopp, for example, would in my opinion put the players in the best condition so that they can perform. And if they don't, then they should be left out, for sporting and non-identity reasons."

Kombouare had dropped Hadjam after the Algerian international defender refused to break his fast ahead of the club's clash with Stade Reims, which they lost 3-0 at home. However, the 59-year-old coach said that he was willing to support any players who were fasting and claimed that other Muslim players agreed to break their fast on game days to play.

"It's his choice, and I respect it. This is not a sanction, but I have rules. During the week, there are no problems with fasting players. I'm ready to support them if needed. We know it's not an easy time. But on gameday, you shouldn't fast. And those who fast are not in the squad. I don't want them to pick an injury."