Manchester United players reportedly scrapped plans to walk out with jackets showing support for the LGBTQ+ community before their game against Everton on Sunday after Noussair Mazraoui reportedly refused to wear one.
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United was set to wear an Adidas jacket before their Premier League match against Everton at Old Trafford, where Ruben Amorim's team secured a 4-0 victory. However, The Athletic reports this morning that defender Mazraoui's refusal to take part in the initiative due to his Muslim faith made the whole team change its plans. The whole team decided that no players would wear it so that the full-back would not be the only one seen publicly refusing to put it on.
Noussair Mazraoui told his Manchester United team-mates he was not prepared to wear the pro-LGBTQ+ walk-out jacket, citing his Muslim faith as the reason.
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC)
The team then decided that no players would wear the tracksuit at all, so that Mazraoui would not be the only one seen…
The team is believed to have made the decision to abandon the jackets just hours before kick-off. It was further reported that Adidas is disappointed by the development after United’s players previously supported the initiative before matches in previous years, and not everyone in the dressing room was happy with the decision.
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This is not the first time Mazraoui has sparked controversy by refusing to support the LGBTQ+ community. In 2023, he backed his compatriot Zakaria Aboukhlal, who declined to wear rainbow colors while playing for Toulouse.
Mazraoui has been a pivotal player for Manchester United since arriving in the summer transfer window, as the Moroccan has shown hunger and desire to fight for his shirt. Since making his debut in Manchester United's opening Premier League victory against Fulham, the defender has made every appearance for United this season.
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