Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy refused to wear a rainbow armband against Crystal Palace, and manager Kieran McKenna has clarified the club’s attitude on the midfielder’s decision.
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has stated that his team is working hard to be an inclusive club after captain Sam Morsy did not wear a Rainbow captain’s armband against Crystal Palace.
Morsy has rejected to wear the armband for the second game in a row, having avoided showing his support for the Rainbow Laces campaign against Nottingham Forest. The footballer made his decision for religious grounds.
The Rainbow Laces campaign aims to show support for the LGBTQ+ community in football. According to Stonewall research, one in every five LGBTQ+ people who attended a live sporting event in the previous year experienced discrimination because of their sexual orientation.
Morsy, a practicing Muslim, has been accused of hypocrisy for previously wearing shirts sponsored by gambling companies. Gambling is forbidden under Islamic law.
McKenna discussed the club’s current situation following its defeat to Crystal Palace.
“We want to be inclusive club and are working really hard on that,” he stated. “At the same time the club has respected Sammy’s individual decision based on his religious beliefs.”
The Premier League and FA stated on Tuesday that they would not take any punishment against Morsy for his choice. The Egypt international was the only captain in the division who wore the traditional captain’s armband.
In a statement to Mirror Football, an Ipswich Town representative explained Morsy’s position following the first encounter with Forest. They stated, “Ipswich Town Football Club is dedicated to being a fully inclusive club that welcomes everyone.” We enthusiastically endorse the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces initiative and work alongside the LGBTQ+ community to promote equality and acceptance.
“During this year’s campaign, members of the club’s men’s and women’s first teams attended our Foundation’s weekly LGBTQ+ football session, and the club also made a joint promise of unity and inclusivity with Nottingham Forest ahead of Saturday’s encounter.
“A number of further efforts are planned for Tuesday’s home game against Crystal Palace, including a takeover of the stadium’s big screen in the moments leading up to kickoff.
“At the same time, we support our captain Sam Morsy’s decision not to wear the rainbow captain’s armband because of his religious convictions. We will continue to cultivate an environment in which everyone is recognized and respected, both on and off the pitch.”
The game at Portman Road saw Palace captain Marc Guehi don a rainbow armband in reference to his religion. The England international received a formal reprimand for putting ‘I love Jesus’ on his armband against Newcastle, while ‘Jesus [heart] you’ was used against Ipswich.
The FA contacted Palace and Guehi to ‘formally remind’ them the appearance on, or incorporation in, any item of clothing, football boots or other equipment of any religious message is prohibited as stated in Rule A4 of the kit and advertising regulations, after Saturday’s game.
Law 4 of the FA’s Laws of the Game allow ‘initiative slogans/emblems promoting the game of football, respect and integrity,’ such as Rainbow Laces, but forbid ‘political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images;.
