Manchester United ditches its entire Pride effort after one lone player throws a hissy fit over rainbows
The Athletic’s Adam Crafton reports United defender Noussair Mazraoui told teammates he didn’t plan to wear the outfit, citing his Muslim faith. “The team then decided that no players would wear the tracksuit so that Mazraoui would not be the only one seen publicly to be refusing to wear it,” Crafton writes.
Subscribe to our newsletter for a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.The United’s decision to forego wearing rainbow regalia altogether due to the opposition of one player is similar to how NHL clubs handled Pride-related controversies a couple of years ago.
Multiple clubs didn’t wear rainbow warmups during their Pride Nights after a smattering of players reportedly refused, or for unknown reasons.
Crafton reports that “not everyone in the dressing room was happy” with the United’s decision. Adidas, which designed the LGBTQ+ tracksuit and has a $1.1 billion contract with the United, was apparently miffed as well. “A source with knowledge of the matter, not authorized to speak publicly, indicated the German sportswear giant is disappointed by the development after United’s players previously supported the initiative by wearing a pride-themed jersey to warm up and jacket to walk out in during previous years,” Crafton writes.Introduced in 2013, the Rainbow Laces campaign is probably the most well-known inclusion initiative in pro sports.
