Why Manchester United did not wear pro-LGBTQ+ jacket against Everton in Premier League?

The Red Devils defeated the Toffees 4-0 in the last match.

After Noussair Mazraoui voiced “religious concerns,” Manchester United players reportedly cancelled their plans to wear an Adidas blazer with a rainbow motif. The Rainbow Laces campaign, spearheaded by LGBTQ+ rights organization Stonewall, is being commemorated by the Premier League this week.

Prior to Sunday’s Premier League match against Everton, United had originally intended for its players to leave the stadium wearing a rainbow-patterned jacket. However, according to The Athletic, defender Mazraoui declined to participate in the campaign.

United’s players have warmed up in Pride-themed shirts during the Rainbow Laces portions of the previous two seasons. Stars have been seen entering the field prior to the game wearing a jacket identical to this one.

This year, only the jacket had been planned. But Mazraoui allegedly declined to participate, claiming that he did so because he was a Muslim.

🚨🚨| NEW: Manchester United players have ABANDONED the club’s plans to wear an Adidas jacket in support of the LGBTQ+ community ahead of Sunday’s Premier League match against Everton after defender Noussair Mazraoui REFUSED to join the initiative. 🏳️‍🌈❌[@TheAthleticFC] pic.twitter.com/wGJjQ3IIjW

— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) December 4, 2024

In order to ensure that the Moroccan, a £15 million summer acquisition, would not be the only player wearing the jacket, the team apparently decided that none of them would.

The decision was made just hours before kickoff at Old Trafford, and it is said that not everyone in the changing room was pleased with it.

Mazraoui’s apparent stance on not showing support for the LGBTQ+ community has drawn criticism in the past. His own supporters at Bayern Munich held up a sign in 2023 that said, “All colors are beautiful. Munich, Toulouse, and anywhere else. Mazraoui, respect our ideals!”

The 27-year-old made a statement when defending Morocco teammate Zakaria Aboukhlal, who had declined to participate in Ligue 1’s LGBTQ+ rights movement when playing for Toulouse.

To commemorate the Rainbow Laces campaign, 19 out of the 20 Premier League captains wore armbands with a Pride motif last weekend. The only one to decline was Sam Morsy of Ipswich Town, who likewise used the excuse that he was a Muslim. The armband is not required to be worn, but many captains wear it to show support to the community.

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