Langa Mabena
Manchester United have been plunged into chaos after a devout Muslim star player refused to wear a rainbow jacket to show support for the LGBTQ+ community — leaving his teammates divided.
Red Devils players have previously worn a pride-themed jersey to warm up ahead of games, over the past two years, to show support for the LGBTQ+ community as part of the Rainbow Laces campaign.
And the club planned to walk-out in a rainbow jacket prior to their clash against Everton on Sunday only for Moroccan star Noussair Mazraoui to refuse, the Athletic has now reported.
The outlet claims that Mazraoui, who is a devout Muslim, told his colleagues that he would not be wearing the jacket and cited his religious faith as his reasoning.
United decided that no player would wear the tracksuit, so Mazraoui would not be singled out publicly — with the decision reportedly just taken hours before kick-off on Sunday.
His move comes after England and Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi defied a Football Association reprimand by writing a religious message on his rainbow-coloured captain’s armband last night — and Ipswich Town skipper Sam Morsy has now twice refused to wear the rainbow armband.
Comedian and Arsenal supporter Matt Lucas has been among those hitting out at players choosing not to wear rainbow-coloured armbands, posting online: ‘I have been verbally abused twice on the way to football matches so far this season. ‘On both occasions I was minding my own business, head down, walking to the ground.
“I was called “a f***ing queer ****” by one man and another told me that “our club doesn’t want disgusting gay fans”.
“If you’re a player and that offends you less than wearing a rainbow-coloured armband for a couple of matches, then maybe you’re part of the problem.”
In a statement today, Manchester United said the club ‘welcomes fans from all backgrounds, including members of the LGBTQ+ community’, adding: “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.’
United’s LGBT fan group Rainbow Devils this morning issued a response, saying they were “disappointed” in the summer signing.
Online Reporter