Manchester United players reportedly abandoned plans to wear rainbow jackets in support of the LGBTQ+ community after defender Noussair Mazraoui declined to participate, citing his religious beliefs.
The jackets were intended to be worn during the team’s walkout for their match against Everton on Sunday, December 1, as part of the Rainbow Laces campaign, which promotes LGBT+ inclusion in sport.
According to The Athletic, Mazraoui, a Muslim, informed his teammates that his faith prevented him from wearing the rainbow attire. In response, the team decided collectively that no one would wear the jackets, avoiding singling him out publicly. This decision was reportedly made just hours before kick-off.
Manchester United Reiterates Commitment to Inclusion
The club issued a statement affirming its commitment to diversity and inclusion, saying, “We welcome everyone and 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 LGBT+ fans and combat all forms of discrimination.”
The statement also acknowledged the importance of individual beliefs, adding, “Players are entitled to hold their own opinions, particularly in relation to their faith, and these may sometimes differ from the club’s position.”
Rainbow Devils Express Disappointment
Manchester United’s LGBT+ fan group, the Rainbow Devils, expressed dismay at the situation. Posting on social media on Wednesday, December 4, the group called the decision a “great disappointment.”
“We respect the right of this player to have his own views, whilst also feeling disappointed that he put the rest of the squad into a position where they felt that they couldn’t wear their jackets,” the statement read.
The group also voiced concern about the potential impact of the incident on LGBTQ+ players at the club, saying, “We worry what kind of negative effect this might have on any player at the club who may be struggling with their sexuality.”
The Rainbow Devils concluded by affirming their ongoing commitment to working with the club to foster inclusivity.
Wider Context of LGBTQ+ Representation in Football
This controversy follows similar incidents in football where players declined to support LGBT+ initiatives. Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy recently chose not to wear a rainbow armband due to his religious beliefs. Additionally, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi reportedly altered a rainbow captain’s armband by writing “I Love Jesus” on it and later shared a message on Instagram reading, “Jesus [loves] you. Stay blessed.”
Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign aims to combat anti-LGBT+ hate in sport and promote inclusivity. Research indicates that the campaign has contributed to improving attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community among sports fans.