Manchester United squad abandon plan to wear LGBTQ+ jackets in support of teammate who refused
Noussair Mazraoui refused to wear a jacket in support of the LGBTQ+ community (PA) Manchester United’s players ditched plans to wear a jacket in support of the LGBTQ+ community after Noussair Mazraoui refused due to his religious beliefs. United had worked alongside their shirt manufacturer Adidas to produce a jacket for the players to wear as they walked out of the tunnel at Old Trafford for their Premier League game against Everton on Sunday. However, The Athletic reports that Mazraoui told his United teammates that he would not wear the jacket because he is a Muslim. It was then decided by the squad that the jackets would not be worn so that Mazraoui would not be singled out. The report adds that not every United player was happy with the decision to abandon the plan. A statement from United 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.’ Manchester United’s players walked out without their LGBTQ+ jackets before the game against Everton at Old Trafford (Reuters) A statement from Rainbow Devils, an LGBT+ supporters club of United, read: ‘Shortly before the game, Rainbow Devils was informed that these jackets would not be worn. The reason being that one of the matchday squad had refused to wear the jacket on the grounds of their personally held beliefs. Therefore, to maintain the team ethos and togetherness, none of the players would be wearing them. ‘This was obviously a great disappointment to Rainbow Devils, but also to all those who had worked hard at the club to deliver this event. We are aware of who the player concerned is, but we feel it isn’t our role to single him out, and risk spoiling all the other positive things that the majority of those at the club have done. Join Metro's LGBTQ+ community on WhatsApp With thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community. Simply click on this link, select ‘Join Chat’ and you’re in! Don't forget to turn on notifications! Noussair Mazraoui (third row, second left) did not hold a beer during Bayern Munich’s photo shoot in 2022 (Getty) Bayern Munich fans held up a banner criticising Noussair Mazraoui for supporting a Morocco teammate who refused to take part in a pro-LGBT+ initiative (Bild) ‘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. We also worry what kind of negative effect this incident might have on any player at the club who may be struggling with their sexuality. ‘Rainbow Devils will continue to work with Manchester United to support inclusivity, through the One Love initiative and others, as we all continue our work to ensure all LGBTQ+ people feel safe and welcome at Old Trafford, both on and off the pitch.’ Mazraoui, who joined United in a £15 million deal from Bayern Munich in the summer, had previously refused to pose with a glass of beer during the German club’s annual squad photo due to his religious beliefs. Bayern’s supporters also criticised Mazraoui in May last year after he showed his support for Morocco teammate Zakaria Aboukhlal, who had refused to wear a shirt with rainbow-coloured numbers in France. Bayern fans held up a banner during the first half of their Bundesliga game against RB Leipzig which read: ‘All colours are beautiful. In Toulouse, Munich and everywhere. Respect our values Mazraoui!’ Over the weekend, Ipswich Town captain, Sam Morsy, who is a practising Muslim, refused to wear a LGBTQ+ rainbow armband. On Tuesday night, Crystal Palace captain, Marc Guehi, ignored a warning from the Football Association by writing ‘Jesus loves you’ on his LGBTQ+ armband. Guehi had previously written ‘I love Jesus’ on his LGBTQ+ rainbow armband during the 1-1 draw against Newcastle United at Selhurst Park on Saturday. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Manchester United’s players ditched plans to wear a jacket in support of the LGBTQ+ community after Noussair Mazraoui refused due to his religious beliefs.
United had worked alongside their shirt manufacturer Adidas to produce a jacket for the players to wear as they walked out of the tunnel at Old Trafford for their Premier League game against Everton on Sunday.
However, The Athletic reports that Mazraoui told his United teammates that he would not wear the jacket because he is a Muslim.
It was then decided by the squad that the jackets would not be worn so that Mazraoui would not be singled out. The report adds that not every United player was happy with the decision to abandon the plan.
A statement from United 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.’
A statement from Rainbow Devils, an LGBT+ supporters club of United, read: ‘Shortly before the game, Rainbow Devils was informed that these jackets would not be worn. The reason being that one of the matchday squad had refused to wear the jacket on the grounds of their personally held beliefs. Therefore, to maintain the team ethos and togetherness, none of the players would be wearing them.
‘This was obviously a great disappointment to Rainbow Devils, but also to all those who had worked hard at the club to deliver this event. We are aware of who the player concerned is, but we feel it isn’t our role to single him out, and risk spoiling all the other positive things that the majority of those at the club have done.
Join Metro's LGBTQ+ community on WhatsApp
With thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community.
Simply click on this link, select ‘Join Chat’ and you’re in! Don't forget to turn on notifications!
‘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. We also worry what kind of negative effect this incident might have on any player at the club who may be struggling with their sexuality.
‘Rainbow Devils will continue to work with Manchester United to support inclusivity, through the One Love initiative and others, as we all continue our work to ensure all LGBTQ+ people feel safe and welcome at Old Trafford, both on and off the pitch.’
Mazraoui, who joined United in a £15 million deal from Bayern Munich in the summer, had previously refused to pose with a glass of beer during the German club’s annual squad photo due to his religious beliefs.
Bayern’s supporters also criticised Mazraoui in May last year after he showed his support for Morocco teammate Zakaria Aboukhlal, who had refused to wear a shirt with rainbow-coloured numbers in France.
Bayern fans held up a banner during the first half of their Bundesliga game against RB Leipzig which read: ‘All colours are beautiful. In Toulouse, Munich and everywhere. Respect our values Mazraoui!’
Over the weekend, Ipswich Town captain, Sam Morsy, who is a practising Muslim, refused to wear a LGBTQ+ rainbow armband.
On Tuesday night, Crystal Palace captain, Marc Guehi, ignored a warning from the Football Association by writing ‘Jesus loves you’ on his LGBTQ+ armband.
Guehi had previously written ‘I love Jesus’ on his LGBTQ+ rainbow armband during the 1-1 draw against Newcastle United at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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