In a Premier League weekend dedicated to supporting diversity and inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community in sport, Sam Morsy refused to wear the rainbow armband. The Ipswich Town team captain was the only one to refuse to support the initiative.
Like Ligue 1, where the championship weekend dedicated to the fight against homophobia is often – always? – accompanied by controversies, the Premier League is also experiencing a small affair on the sidelines of the 13th day. Despite the support of 19 captains, who wore a rainbow armband in a desire to support the Rainbow Laces initiative, this is the case of the only refusal which is the subject of significant media coverage this Monday in England.
According to information from the Daily Mirror, Egyptian international Sam Morsy refused to wear the rainbow armband for religious reasons. The captain of Ipswich Town, of Muslim faith, therefore did not wish to support Rainbow Laces during his team's defeat on the lawn of Nottingham Forest (1-0). A justification confirmed by the promoter with the British daily.
Despite Morsy's refusal, Ipswich committed to inclusion
Despite Sam Morsy's refusal to wear a rainbow armband on Matchday 13 of the Premier League, Ipswich Town reiterated its commitment to inclusion in football and society.
“Ipswich Town is committed to being a fully inclusive club that welcomes everyone,” assured a Tractor Boys spokesperson quoted by the Daily Mirror. “We proudly support the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign and stand alongside the LGBTQ+ community in promoting equality and acceptance.”
