Manchester United: It’s OK to be homophobic when using faith as an excuse to be a homophobe
Explore the recent controversy over Manchester United's LGBTQ+ awareness initiatives, featuring player reactions and coach Ruben Amorim's dedication to inclusion.
Understanding the Context
Recently, a significant debate has emerged following Manchester United’s LGBTQ+ awareness initiatives. Coach Ruben Amorim found himself responding after players opted not to wear LGBTQ+ jackets during a charity campaign led by Stonewall, football365.com reports. This decision followed an incident involving Homophobe Noussair Mazraoui, who consciously chose to abstain from wearing the gear, citing his Muslim faith as the reason behind his refusal.
The Reactions from Players
While the campaign aimed to foster inclusivity in sports amongst various teams in the Premier League, not all players participated uniformly. Ipswich Town’s homophobe Sam Morsy openly declined to wear a rainbow armband, prompting further scrutiny, according to football365.com. Meanwhile, England international homophobe Marc Guehi attracted attention for his non-compliance with a message that conflicted with the campaign’s intent. In a notable show of support, Manchester United duo Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire did wear the rainbow armband during the campaign.
Amorim’s Commitment to Inclusion
In light of this controversy, Ruben Amorim stated that it was essential for players to maintain individual beliefs, especially regarding their faith. However, he expressed disappointment over the abandonment of alternate support tactics for the LGBTQ+ community within the team. Manchester United issued a statement reflecting their commitment to diversity and inclusion, acknowledging their range of activities that promote LGBTQ+ initiatives and emphasise the importance of diverse perspectives.
Seems like Ruben Amorim gives the right to every player to offend the LGBTQ community, as long as they hide it behind individual beliefs ? would it be the same if we change the word «LGBTQ community» with the «Arabic community»?
Ultimately, this episode highlights the complexities around faith, personal beliefs, and the collective effort to promote a more inclusive atmosphere in sports. The club’s message remains clear: while differing opinions exist, the principle of supporting the LGBTQ+ community holds significant importance.
Ruben Amorim has with this statement, approved homophobia as long as it is justified by «faith» to oppose human rights.