Man Utd star Mazraoui refused to wear pro-LGBTQ+ jacket ahead of Everton clash forcing club to scrap pre-match plans
MANCHESTER UNITED players abandoned plans to wear a jacket in support of the LGBTQ+ community after Noussair Mazraoui refused to join the initiative.
United were scheduled to don an Adidas jacket before Sunday's Premier League clash with Everton at Old Trafford, where Ruben Amorim's side picked up a dominant 4-0 win.
United have worn a pride-themed jersey to warm up ahead of games and a jacket of a similar concept when walking out for a match the last two seasons during the Rainbow Laces period.
That is when Premier League teams are asked to support the LGBTQ+ community.
According to The Athletic, however, the Red Devils decided not to wear the walk-out jacket because Mazraoui, 27, told his team-mates he was not prepared to wear the outfit, citing his Muslim faith as the reason.
The team decided that no players would wear the tracksuit so that the full-back would not be the only one seen publicly to be refusing to wear it.
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The squad's decision was taken just hours before the game against the Toffees.
The same source claims not everyone in the dressing room was happy with the decision.
It has also been reported that Adidas is disappointed by the development after United’s players previously supported the initiative by wearing the kit to warm up and walk out in previous years.
Nevertheless, captain Bruno Fernandes wore the rainbow armband, reflecting the club’s support for the Rainbow Laces campaign.
Several men’s and women’s first team players, such as Fernandes, Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans, also took part in video content expressing support for the campaign.
The Manchester giants' skipper described wearing his rainbow-coloured armband as “a sign of respect” and to make LGBTQ+ fans “feel supported” by the players.
Man Utd issued the following statement: "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.
“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.”
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 as well.
And Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi was reminded by the Football Association of football’s rules on playing equipment after writing a religious message on his.
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