In recent years, professional football has increasingly embraced campaigns promoting inclusivity, particularly through initiatives like the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces, which aim to support the LGBTQ+ community.
However, these efforts have sparked some controversies when some players, citing personal or religious beliefs, have publicly declined to participate in gestures such as wearing rainbow armbands or jackets.
These incidents have ignited heated debates about the balance between individual freedom and collective advocacy in a sport that commands a global audience.
While football strives to foster an inclusive environment, the actions of players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Noussair Mazraoui, Sam Morsy, and Marc Guehi have highlighted tensions between personal convictions and public expectations.
The following explores notable cases and the broader implications for football’s ongoing journey toward inclusivity.
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Cristiano Ronaldo, arguable the Greatest Player of All Time refused to support LGBTQ at the Euro 2020, becoming the only national team captain in the tournament who refused to wear branded LGBTQ armband.
In 2024, Manchester United’s Noussair Mazraoui, a devout Muslim, refused to wear a rainbow jacket during the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign, leading the team to abandon the initiative to avoid singling him out, a decision that drew criticism from fans and the club’s Rainbow Devils supporters’ group.
Similarly, Ipswich Town’s Sam Morsy, also a Muslim, declined to wear a rainbow armband in 2024, citing religious convictions, prompting his club to reaffirm its commitment to inclusivity without punishing him.
In France’s Ligue 1, Toulouse’s Zakaria Aboukhlal and Nantes’ Mostafa Mohamed opted out of wearing rainbow-themed kits in 2023 for an anti-homophobia campaign, with both players emphasizing respect for their religious beliefs. They were left out of the matchday squad by their respective teams.
Monaco’s Mohamed Camara also drew attention in 2024 by taping over rainbow logos during an anti-homophobia initiative, facing backlash for what critics called a deliberate act of non-support.
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Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, a devout Christian, wore a rainbow armband in 2024 but wrote “Jesus loves you” on it, defying FA guidelines and risking disciplinary action, though no punishment followed.
Idrissa Gueye, the Senegalese international also faced scrutiny in 2022 for skipping a match to avoid wearing a rainbow-numbered shirt, a decision that led to his temporary benching by his team Paris Saint Germain.
These cases highlight the tension between personal beliefs and public expectations in football’s push for inclusivity, with responses ranging from team solidarity to public outcry and disciplinary measures.
ALL/JE
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