Man United release statement after pro-LGBTQ+ gesture 'scrapped over player refusal'

Manchester United have released a statement to the Manchester Evening News after the club were said to have ditched plans to walk out in pro-LGBTQ+ Adidas jackets ahead of Sunday’s match with Everton after Noussair Mazraoui reportedly refused to wear one.

First-team players have worn pride-themed apparel during the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces week for the past two seasons during the warm-up and for the pre-match walk-out. However, such plans this year were scrapped after Mazraoui apparently told teammates he would not take part.

The Athletic claims the £15million summer recruit told teammates he would be refusing to wear the jacket due to his Muslim faith. The team are thought to have made the decision to abandon the jackets just hours before kick-off.

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The report says Adidas, with whom United have a £900m 10-year sponsorship deal, are disappointed by the decision, with not everyone inside the changing room content with the outcome either. All of these claims have yet to be verified.

In a statement to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United said: “Manchester United welcomes fans from all backgrounds, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, and we are strongly committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion.

“We demonstrate these principles through a range of activities, including support for our Rainbow Devils supporters’ club, and campaigns to celebrate our LGBTQ+ fans and combat all forms of discrimination.

“Players are entitled to hold their own individual opinions, particularly in relation