Muslim Basketball Executive Fired, Sparking Religious Discrimination Debate

"How can this gentleman define himself as ’a pure product of Allah’ when the Elan is a Catholic club at the origin?" we wonder. The accusations of proselytism would have led to his dismissal. "The mayor explained to us that we had to remove Taqwa, that he could not remain general manager. François Bayrou explained that a Muslim would not be accepted locally and politically, because the Elan is a Catholic organization. We replied that it was out of the question to fire someone for their religious beliefs. That was not our way of doing or being. The mayor insisted, repeating to us that we had to remove Taqwa," Greg Heuss, one of the two executives, told Basket Europe.

But David Bonnemason-Carrère, vice-president of the club (and president when the American group CSG was still the owner) tried to provide clarification: "[...] his duties as general manager were revocable in any case. Moreover, in July, after the transfer of shares, Taqwa asked me for a sum to leave the club. On August 2, I received a request for 30,000 euros as a way out. Which is unthinkable given the financial situation of the club. He is no longer the general manager and will be the subject of dismissal for economic reasons concerning three people within the club. He is not targeted individually, it is the reality of the financial situation of our club that requires it."