Manchester United has made the decision to cancel plans for its players to wear rainbow jackets in support of the LGBTQ+ community, following a reported refusal from Moroccan defender Noussair Mazraoui, who cited his religious beliefs as the reason for his non-participation.
The Premier League's Rainbow Laces campaign has seen clubs take significant steps over the past two years to promote inclusivity within football, with many teams wearing pride-themed jerseys to warm up before matches. United has previously participated in this initiative, donning specially designed outfits to show solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.
According to a report from The Athletic, the club had intended for its squad to don rainbow jackets prior to their match against Everton; however, Mazraoui communicated to his teammates that he would not wear the item due to his devout Muslim faith. This led to a last-minute decision by the club to cancel the planned display of support to avoid singling out Mazraoui publicly.
The decision was reportedly made just hours before the game, reflecting the complexities surrounding the intersection of faith, identity, and collective team actions in professional sports. By not wearing the jackets, Manchester United aimed to foster team cohesion and respect for individual beliefs while maintaining the overall spirit of support for the LGBTQ+ community that the Rainbow Laces campaign embodies. Or something.
Source: Noah Wire Services