Manchester United release statement after scrapping pre-match show of support for LGBTQ+ over player’s refusal
Manchester United abandoned plans to wear a pro-LGBQ+ rainbow jacket against Everton after Noussair Mazraoui refused to support the initiative. The Red Devils have donned a pride-themed warm-up jersey and walk-out jacket in the last two seasons as part of the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign, in a show of support to the LGBTQ+ community. Noussir Mazraoui refused to wear a jacket in support of the LGBTQ+ communityGetty This season, United had planned for their players to don a similarly-themed jacket to head out in prior to their clash against Everton on Sunday. However, according to The Athletic, Morocco international Mazraoui told his teammates that he was not prepared to do so, citing his Muslim faith as the reason behind this. As a result, the team then decided that no players would wear the adidas jacket, in order to avoid the £15million summer signing being singled out for criticism. The outlet also reported that not everyone in the United dressing room was happy with this decision. A United statement read: “Manchester United welcomes fans from all backgrounds, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, and we are strongly committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion. “We demonstrate these principles through a range of activities, including support for our Rainbow Devils supporters’ club, and campaigns to celebrate our LGBTQ+ fans and combat all forms of discrimination. “Players are entitled to hold their own individual opinions, particularly in relation to their faith, and these may sometimes differ from the club’s position.” Captain Bruno Fernandes did wear the rainbow armband, reflecting the club’s support for the campaign amid controversy over Ipswich skipper Sam Morsy refusing to wear it. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi is in hot water for writing religious messages on his rainbow armband despite a warning from the FA. talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan has weighed in on the recent debate, and suggested that football steer should steer clear of involving itself in particular societal causes. Bruno Fernandes wore a rainbow armband in United’s 4-0 win over EvertonGetty GettyHowever, United’s players did not wear a rainbow-themed warm-up jersey prior to the match as was first planned[/caption] He said: “The armband is already a contradiction of their own rule [no political slogans]. This is the problem that football gets itself into. “It wants to do the hokey-cokey. It wants to be half in, it wants to be half out. It wants to be seen to virtue signal. “We’re in support of this. We’re in support of that. We want to light the stadium up. We want the captains to wear one of our bands. But we don’t really want to be that involved. “Well, bugger off and play football then. And deal with the core principles of what you’re supposed to do, which would be an entertainment industry. “And stop allowing yourself to be hijacked by people wanting to impart messages that are well-established in society, that society is already geared towards.” With regards to Guehi and Morsy’s actions, Jordan went on to say that he would not force players top take part in the Rainbow Laces campaign. GettyMarc Guehi has written a message on his rainbow armband in each of Crystal Palace’s last two matches[/caption] Ipswich Town’s Morsy opted to wear a standard captain’s armband for the second match running against Crystal PalaceGetty He continued: “This will be controversial… I’m not entirely sure I would have been instructing my players to wear these armbands in the first place [if I was still Crystal Palace chairman]. “Because I think the premise of it is about advancing narratives that already exist in society. We already live in a tolerant environment. We already live with equality. “Football, as a policy, already has a zero tolerance policy to any kind of discrimination. “So when you start separating people out and you add groups like the LGBTQ+ community, which is certainly political, you start to create people becoming slightly uncomfortable with it. Then you start to create division. “And football is supposed to bring people together to entertain, to bring people into a space where they’re entertained, not divided, or whether they’re told what they should think or what calls they should support and how they should show their support.” Despite this, Jordan did acknowledge the ongoing issue of homophobia in society, but insisted that the sport should not become involved in this debate. The talkSPORT host said: “I know there’s homophobia in society. “It’s not football’s job or responsibility to fix that and to hold itself to a higher set of standards.”
Manchester United abandoned plans to wear a pro-LGBQ+ rainbow jacket against Everton after Noussair Mazraoui refused to support the initiative.
The Red Devils have donned a pride-themed warm-up jersey and walk-out jacket in the last two seasons as part of the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign, in a show of support to the LGBTQ+ community.
This season, United had planned for their players to don a similarly-themed jacket to head out in prior to their clash against Everton on Sunday.
However, according to The Athletic, Morocco international Mazraoui told his teammates that he was not prepared to do so, citing his Muslim faith as the reason behind this.
As a result, the team then decided that no players would wear the adidas jacket, in order to avoid the £15million summer signing being singled out for criticism.
The outlet also reported that not everyone in the United dressing room was happy with this decision.
A United statement read: “Manchester United welcomes fans from all backgrounds, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, and we are strongly committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion.
“We demonstrate these principles through a range of activities, including support for our Rainbow Devils supporters’ club, and campaigns to celebrate our LGBTQ+ fans and combat all forms of discrimination.
“Players are entitled to hold their own individual opinions, particularly in relation to their faith, and these may sometimes differ from the club’s position.”
Captain Bruno Fernandes did wear the rainbow armband, reflecting the club’s support for the campaign amid controversy over Ipswich skipper Sam Morsy refusing to wear it.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi is in hot water for writing religious messages on his rainbow armband despite a warning from the FA.
talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan has weighed in on the recent debate, and suggested that football steer should steer clear of involving itself in particular societal causes.
He said: “The armband is already a contradiction of their own rule [no political slogans]. This is the problem that football gets itself into.
“It wants to do the hokey-cokey. It wants to be half in, it wants to be half out. It wants to be seen to virtue signal.
“We’re in support of this. We’re in support of that. We want to light the stadium up. We want the captains to wear one of our bands. But we don’t really want to be that involved.
“Well, bugger off and play football then. And deal with the core principles of what you’re supposed to do, which would be an entertainment industry.
“And stop allowing yourself to be hijacked by people wanting to impart messages that are well-established in society, that society is already geared towards.”
With regards to Guehi and Morsy’s actions, Jordan went on to say that he would not force players top take part in the Rainbow Laces campaign.
He continued: “This will be controversial… I’m not entirely sure I would have been instructing my players to wear these armbands in the first place [if I was still Crystal Palace chairman].
“Because I think the premise of it is about advancing narratives that already exist in society. We already live in a tolerant environment. We already live with equality.
“Football, as a policy, already has a zero tolerance policy to any kind of discrimination.
“So when you start separating people out and you add groups like the LGBTQ+ community, which is certainly political, you start to create people becoming slightly uncomfortable with it. Then you start to create division.
“And football is supposed to bring people together to entertain, to bring people into a space where they’re entertained, not divided, or whether they’re told what they should think or what calls they should support and how they should show their support.”
Despite this, Jordan did acknowledge the ongoing issue of homophobia in society, but insisted that the sport should not become involved in this debate.
The talkSPORT host said: “I know there’s homophobia in society.
“It’s not football’s job or responsibility to fix that and to hold itself to a higher set of standards.”
