Manchester United has decided not to proceed with plans for players to wear LGBTQ+ rainbow-themed jackets ahead of their match against Everton, following a refusal from defender Noussair Mazraoui. The player, who joined the club from Bayern Munich for £15 million during the summer, reportedly declined to wear the jacket, citing his Muslim faith as the reason for his decision.
The club has not confirmed Mazraoui’s identity when asked by BBC Sport, and his agent declined to comment. LGBTQ+ supporters’ group Rainbow Devils expressed their disappointment with the situation, though United reiterated that players can freely express their personal opinions, particularly regarding their faith.
The incident unfolded as part of the Premier League’s support for LGBTQ+ inclusion, with clubs participating in the Rainbow Laces campaign by wearing rainbow armbands and promoting inclusivity in sport. A spokesperson from Stonewall, the charity behind the campaign, expressed gratitude for the widespread support, emphasizing the importance of making both players and fans feel safe and welcomed in sports. “It is up to individual players and teams to choose how they show their support,” they said.
While the Manchester United squad had initially planned to wear the rainbow-themed jackets, Mazraoui’s decision led to the team choosing not to wear them at all to avoid singling him out. The Athletic reported that Mazraoui informed his teammates of his refusal, and the team collectively decided not to wear the jackets in solidarity with him.
In response to the situation, Manchester United issued a statement expressing their strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, emphasizing that the club welcomes fans from all backgrounds, including those in the LGBTQ+ community. “Players hold their own individual opinions, particularly regarding their faith, and these may sometimes differ from the club’s position,” the statement read.
The club has previously shown support for LGBTQ+ inclusion through various activities, including wearing rainbow-themed warm-up kits. The Rainbow Devils supporters’ group, in a statement, acknowledged Mazraoui’s right to his personal beliefs, but expressed regret over the disruption caused to the team. The group also voiced concern about the potential negative impact on players who may be struggling with their sexuality.
Meanwhile, the Football Association (FA) announced it would not take formal action against Crystal Palace or their captain, Marc Guehi, following a controversy over religious messaging on a rainbow armband. Guehi had written “Jesus loves you” on his armband during a match against Ipswich, which led to a reminder from the FA that religious messages on kit are prohibited.
Similarly, Ipswich captain Sam Morsy did not wear a rainbow armband during his team’s match against Ipswich, citing his religious beliefs as the reason for his decision not to participate in the LGBTQ+ inclusion initiative.
Manchester United’s decision highlights the delicate balance between supporting LGBTQ+ inclusion and respecting individual players’ personal and religious beliefs, a challenge that continues to unfold in the sport.
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