A MANCHESTER UNITED LGBTQ+ supporters group has issued a statement in response to the team’s decision not to wear a rainbow jacket at the weekend.
The Red Devils had planned to wear a pride-themed rainbow jacket prior to their Premier League clash with Everton on Sunday.
However, just a matter of hours before kick-off, they made a collective decision not to.
The Athletic has claimed that Noussair Mazraoui told his team-mates that he was not prepared to sport it due to his Muslim faith.
As a result, the team did not want him to be the only person seen publicly refusing to wear the item of clothing and so decided that nobody would.
It has been suggested that not everyone in the dressing room was happy about the decision.
Man Utd have now come under fire for the move, with LGBTQ+ group Rainbow Devils among those who have voiced their discontent.
A statement from the supporters group read: “As part of this year’s Rainbow Laces campaign, Rainbow Devils worked closely with – and had great support from – Manchester United and the Fan Engagement team.
“This has included working with the Manchester United Foundation to spread the message of inclusivity with local schools, to a Q&A with two Men’s first team players, to supportive messages from many Men and Women first team players (including an individual one from captain Bruno Fernandes). Even a pitchside event at Old Trafford on Sunday ahead of the Everton game.
“On this latter occasion, which was United’s official Rainbow Laces game, the players were due to wear specially designed jackets pre-match to mark the occasion.
“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.
“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.”
Man Utd have worn a pride-themed jersey and jacket ahead of certain games over the last two seasons during the Rainbow Laces period.
Club captain Bruno Fernandes wore the Rainbow Laces armband throughout the Everton match, reflecting the club’s support for the campaign.
He described wearing his rainbow-coloured armband as “a sign of respect” that makes LGBTQ+ fans “feel supported” by the players.
Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy, who is also a practising Muslim, refused to wear a rainbow armband for religious reasons in his club’s two Rainbow Laces fixtures.
And Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi was spoken to by the Football Association on Tuesday after writing a religious message on his.
Guehi, 24, who is a devout Christian, was warned by the FA not to repeat his actions after writing “I love Jesus” on his armband for Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle.
But on Tuesday the Palace skipper ignored it and wrote “Jesus loves you” on his armband during the 1-0 victory at Ipswich.
