Ipswich Town skipper Sam Morsy is facing criticism after refusing to wear a rainbow armband in Saturday’s Premier League defeat to Nottingham Forest.
As part of charity Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign, Premier League clubs have been showing their support for LGBTQ+ inclusion.
But Egyptian international Morsy opted against donning a rainbow armband at Nottingham Forest.
Ipswich have since said Morsy refused to wear the armband due to ‘religious beliefs’.
But with the Tractor Boys due to host Crystal Palace on Tuesday, Morsy’s choice to snub the charity campaign has come under greater scrutiny.
Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy chose not to wear a rainbow armband during Saturday’s defeat to Nottingham Forest due to his religious beliefs.
The 33-year-old midfielder was the only captain in the Premier League not wearing a rainbow armband across Rainbow Laces weekend, an… pic.twitter.com/936HX7mVu9
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) December 2, 2024
Ipswich Town Release Statement Supporting Skipper Morsy
On Monday, Ipswich spoke out in defence of their player’s choices. While reaffirming their commitment to inclusion and support of Stonewall’s campaign, they backed Morsy’s right to choose.
The statement said: “We proudly support the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign and stand with the LGBTQ+ community in promoting equality and acceptance.”
“During this year’ campaign, members of the club’s men’s and women’s first-teams visited our Foundation’s weekly LGBTQ+ football session. 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. He has chosen not to wear the rainbow captain’s armband, due to his religious beliefs.”
But not everybody is happy with Morsy or Ipswich Town.
Sam Morsy’s Rainbow Armband Refusal Draws Criticism
Former Wales women’s captain Laura McAllister is one of those disappointed voices. A key figure in LGBTQ+ football, she is now a UEFA vice-president and executive committee member.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, she said: “I think there has to be an element of individual choice, but I’m really disappointed because a captain represents the team, and the club, and everybody who is a fan of that club, and everybody who works at that club, and that will include a lot of LGBT people as well.
“One’s own religious beliefs, if they are so strong that they feel they can’t champion inclusivity and diversity, then I think that’s a real shame that any religion would create those conditions.
“Being a captain, I think it comes with a big responsibility, and that’s to make sure that football is a game for everybody. That’s the whole point of the rainbow armband so it’s disappointing, but let’s move on with the positivity around this as well, with so many other captains championing equal rights.”
And others took to Twitter (now X) to voice their displeasure.
One user shared images of Morsy wearing kits featuring betting sponsors during his time at Wigan and Middlesbrough.
They said: “Sam Morsy’s religious views must’ve only come into play when he joined Ipswich seeing as he would gladly promote betting?”
Gambling is forbidden in Islam. This has led many to question why Morsy would oppose an LGBTQ+ charity campaign but was willing to wear gambling ads.
