Ipswich Town‘s official LGBTQ+ supporters group have admitted that they are “disappointed” by club captain Sam Morsy’s decision not to wear a rainbow-coloured armband due to his religious beliefs during the club’s defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
The Premier League has supported Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign since it began in 2013 with players wearing rainbow-coloured laces and armbands to show their support. Corner flags, ball plinths, handshake boards and substitute boards have also been given a temporary makeover as part of the push to promote diversity and inclusion.
Rainbow Laces aims to make LGBTQ+ people feel welcome and safe to watch and participate in sport at all levels. The Premier League pledged to promote the campaign between 29 November and 5 December this season which features two separate game weeks.
As such, Morsy, a practising Muslim and Egyptian international, is unlikely to wear the armband again for Ipswich’s vital clash against relegation rivals Crystal Palace at Portman Road on Tuesday night.
Morsy is not the first Premier League captain to not wear the armband. Sheffield United defender Anel Ahmedhodzic did likewise during a game against Liverpool last season.
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The 33-year-old is likely to be involved as he has started all but one of the club’s top-flight games this season and been a key player during their rise under Kieran McKenna.
“While Rainbow Tractors were aware in advance of the decision, we are disappointed that Sam Morsy chose to not wear the rainbow armband in support of the Rainbow Laces campaign,” a Rainbow Tractors spokesperson said.
“Rainbow Laces is a great campaign that supports LGBTQ+ inclusion, and is an important one for fans and players within the community to know they are welcome in football. We do, however, continue to respect his religious beliefs as we have done in previous seasons.
“Ipswich Town Football Club have shown a long-term commitment to the LGBTQ+ community over the last few years, and continue to do so with a wide range of initiatives.
“Rainbow Tractors and Ipswich Town remain committed to working together to ensure all LGBTQ+ Ipswich Town fans feel safe, welcomed and that Portman Road is an inclusive place for everyone.”
A Stonewall spokesperson said: “It has been incredible to see so many football teams at all levels support our Rainbow Laces campaign to make sport safer and more inclusive for all. When clubs like Ipswich Town FC show their support, it helps people feel safe and welcome both on and off the pitch.
“It is up to individuals to choose if and how they show their support for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport.”
The club also said that it respected Morsy’s decision. The 33-year-old used a regular armband at the weekend instead and was the only club captain not to wear the rainbow-coloured one.
“Ipswich Town Football Club is committed to being a fully inclusive club that welcomes everyone. We proudly support the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign and stand with the LGBTQ+ community in promoting equality and acceptance,” the club said.
“During this year’s campaign, members of the club’s men’s and women’s first-teams visited our foundation’s weekly LGBTQ+ football session, while the club also made a joint pledge of solidarity and inclusivity alongside Nottingham Forest ahead of Saturday’s game.
“A range of further initiatives are planned around Tuesday’s home game with Crystal Palace, including a takeover of the stadium’s big screen in the moments prior to kick-off.
“At the same time, we respect the decision of our captain Sam Morsy, who has chosen not to wear the rainbow captain’s armband, due to his religious beliefs. We will continue to grow an environment where all are valued and respected, both on and off the pitch.”
Blackpool forward Jake Daniels, who is currently on loan at Warrington Rylands 1906, came out in 2022 and is the only openly gay male footballer playing professional football in England.