Ruben Amorim has revealed that the solidarity among Manchester United’s players was the key factor in in the decision to abandon plans to wear rainbow-themed jackets supporting the LGBT+ community before Sunday’s win over Everton.
The gesture went against the religious beliefs of Noussair Mazraoui so the rest of the United players decided not to leave the Morocco international as the odd man out when they walked out before the game at Old Trafford.
Amorim explained: ‘It was a group decision as players, as it should be. There’s three difficult things to manage. On one side, it’s club values. There’s no doubt what this club believes and fights for. Then you have religion, which you have to respect. It’s our values to respect other opinions.
‘And the third thing is the group thing. ‘I won’t leave Nous alone, we’re a team’. The majority of the players believe in one thing, but they saw one guy alone and said let’s be together.
‘It’s three things we have to manage and respect, and it’s a hard issue to address. I think we did it in a good way. We need to respect everything but we also to respect the religion of Nous and his culture.’
Asked if it will be an issue again in future, Amorim replied: ‘I don’t know if Nous is going to change his religion and his beliefs. We will address at the time if it comes, but it’s a really hard decision.’
Man United scrapped plans to wear an LGBT rainbow jacket after Noussair Mazraoui refused
In previous seasons, United have worn the top to show their support for the LGBT community
Man United head coach said players made a ‘group decision’ to not leave out Mazraoui
Man United had issued a statement in midweek following reports Mazraoui had refused to wear the rainbow jacket.
Manchester United said the club ‘welcomes fans from all backgrounds, including members of the LGBTQ+ community’, adding: ‘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.’
United’s LGBT fan group Rainbow Devils issued a response, saying they were ‘disappointed’ in the summer signing.
In a post on X, the organisation wrote: ‘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).
‘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.
Mazraoui (left) – who is a devout Muslim – told teammates he would not wear it due to his faith
Former United stars Cristiano Ronaldo (middle) and Jadon Sancho (right) pictured in the jacket
‘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.
Man United were among three clubs to have seen their players involved in controversy over surrounding rainbow clothing.
As part of the Premier League ‘s Rainbow Laces campaign to support the LGBTQ+ community, top-flight captains were given rainbow armbands to wear for last weekend fixtures and matches in midweek.
Sam Morsy and Marc Guehi shook hands before kick-off in midweek, with Morsy not wearing a rainbow armband while Guehi did
Guehi was reprimanded for having ‘I love Jesus’ written on his armband on Saturday
The Crystal Palace star had ‘Jesus loves you’ written on his rainbow armband on Tuesday night
England and Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi defied a Football Association reprimand by writing a religious message on his rainbow-coloured captain’s armband against Ipswich Town.
Guehi had written a similar message on his armband for last weekend’s fixtures.
Ipswich skipper Sam Morsy twice refused to wear the rainbow armband, citing his religious beliefs.
In light of Morsy’s refusal to wear the rainbow armband on the weekend, Ipswich released a statement insisting the club ‘proudly supports’ the Premier League’s campaign.
