Sports
Manchester United ‘scrap plans to wear LGBT rainbow jacket after devout Muslim player Noussair Mazraoui refused to wear it’
Manchester United ‘scrap plans to wear LGBT rainbow jacket after devout Muslim player Noussair Mazraoui refused to wear it’
Manchester United have reportedly abandoned their plans to wear LGBT rainbow jackets ahead of their match against Everton after Moroccan defender Noussair Mazraoui refused to participate in the campaign.
The decision, made just hours before kick-off, came as Mazraoui, a devout Muslim, cited his religious beliefs as the reason for not wearing the pride-themed attire.
In response to Mazraoui’s stance, the club opted to cancel the entire initiative to avoid singling out the player publicly.
This incident follows United’s two-year tradition of supporting the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign by wearing pride-themed jerseys during pre-match warm-ups. The controversy has reportedly left some team-mates unhappy with the outcome.
In a statement today, Manchester United said the club ‘welcomes fans from all backgrounds, including members of the LGBTQ+ community’, adding: ‘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.
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‘Players are entitled to hold their own individual opinions, particularly in relation to their faith, and these may sometimes differ from the club’s position.’
United’s LGBT fan group Rainbow Devils this morning issued a response, saying they were ‘disappointed’ in the summer signing.
In a post on X, the organisation wrote: ‘As part of this year’s Rainbow Laces campaign, Rainbow Devils worked closely with – and had great support from – Manchester United and the Fan Engagement team.
‘This has included working with the Manchester United Foundation to spread the message of inclusivity with local schools, to a Q&A with two Men’s first team players, to supportive messages from many Men and Women first team players (including an individual one from captain Bruno Fernandes).
‘On this latter occasion, which was United’s official Rainbow Laces game, the players were due to wear specially designed jackets pre-match to mark the occasion. Shortly before the game, Rainbow Devils was informed that these jackets would not be worn.
‘The reason being that one of the matchday squad had refused to wear the jacket on the grounds of their personally held beliefs. Therefore, to maintain the team ethos and togetherness, none of the players would be wearing them.
Mazraoui’s refusal follows a similar situation involving Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy, who also declined to wear the rainbow armband twice, citing his Muslim faith.
This development comes after England and Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi defied a Football Association reprimand by writing a religious message on his rainbow-coloured captain’s armband last night.
‘This was obviously a great disappointment to Rainbow Devils, but also to all those who had worked hard at the club to deliver this event. We are aware of who the player concerned is, but we feel it isn’t our role to single him out, and risk spoiling all the other positive things that the majority of those at the club have done.
‘We respect the right of this player to have his own views, whilst also feeling disappointed that he put the rest of the squad into a position where they felt that they couldn’t wear their jackets.
‘We also worry what kind of negative effect this incident might have on any player at the club who may be struggling with their sexuality’.
Manchester United ‘scrap plans to wear LGBT rainbow jacket after devout Muslim player Noussair Mazraoui refused to wear it’
Sports
I will introduce attacking style to Super Eagles — Chelle
I will introduce attacking style to Super Eagles — Chelle
The new head coach of the Super Eagles, Éric Chelle, says football is about scoring, and he will introduce an attacking mentality to the senior men’s football national team.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Chelle made the remarks during his official unveiling at a colourful ceremony inside the Media Conference Room of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on Monday.
Chelle won five caps for the Aiglons of Mali in a playing career that also saw him playing for FC Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais.
He told newsmen that he was excited to land the job of coaching one of Africa’s biggest football names.
“I want to thank my agent, the NFF, the NSC, and indeed all Nigerians for this big opportunity.
“Coaching the Super Eagles of Nigeria is an amazing job; I do not take this appointment for granted. I am elated and will do my utmost best.
“Football is about scoring goals, so I favour an attacking style.
“I know the expectations of Nigerians, and I will settle down and work diligently with my assistants towards the goal of qualifying the Super Eagles for the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” he said.
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Ibrahim Gusau, the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), reiterated his call for Nigerians to come together and support the gaffer while promising that the football-ruling body will give Chelle all the support to succeed in his assignment.
Gusau said he was endeared by the confidence and surefootedness that Chelle has shown in their interactions over the past few days.
He said he was banking on him to galvanise the Super Eagles with the same go-go attitude to turn around their fortunes in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series.
Sports
Barcelona thrash Real Madrid 5-2 in Spanish Super Cup
Barcelona thrash Real Madrid 5-2 in Spanish Super Cup
Barcelona came from an early goal down to beat Real Madrid 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday, scoring four goals in a dominant first half and surviving having their goalkeeper sent off to clinch a record-extending 15th trophy.
Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Alejandro Balde were all on target before halftime, after French forward Kylian Mbappe put Real in front in the fifth minute. Raphinha grabbed another in the second half while Rodrygo scored for Real.
Barcelona put in a clinical display to lift their first trophy in more than a year, having no silverware to show for last season.
“A goal for big clubs is always to win titles, that’s why we work hard. But now we have to show it in the next games,” Hansi Flick told a press conference after winning his first trophy as Barca coach.
“Real made many mistakes, and we knew how to take advantage of them to control the match.”
Barca prevented Real from winning their third title of the campaign, after they won the European Super Cup against Atalanta and beat Mexico’s Pachuca to the Intercontinental Cup last month.
“In the first half we didn’t play football, we hit long balls and that wasn’t the idea,” Real coach Carlo Ancelotti said.
“I told the players that they can lose games, but not in the way we played in the first half.”
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Mbappe earned an early advantage for the Spanish champions, finishing a solo run from around the halfway line with a shot inside the far post.
But what looked like a dream start quickly turned into a nightmare for Ancelotti’s men when Yamal levelled for Barca in the 22nd minute. Striker Lewandowski gave them the lead 14 minutes later from a penalty awarded for Eduardo Camavinga’s foul on Gavi.
Raphinha increased the advantage with a stunning header from a brilliant long cross by Jules Kounde in the 39th minute, and left back Balde added a fourth for Barca deep into stoppage time after nine minutes were added to the first half.
Yamal released Raphinha with a precise pass following Real’s miserable corner kick, before the Brazil forward left the ball to Balde who scored with a simple finish to restore Barcelona’s healthy lead.
Real started the second half with Rodrygo hitting the bar, sparking hopes of the hectic clash taking another turn.
But Raphinha quelled any sniff of a comeback when he made it 5-1 three minutes after the break, having slalomed past the Real defence.
Barca were left with 10 men when goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was sent off for fouling Mbappe in the 56th minute and Rodrygo beat substitute keeper Inaki Pena from the resulting free kick.
But Real, who hold a five-point advantage over Barca in LaLiga after 19 games, had no shots on goal after the penalty until Mbappe’s effort was denied by Pena in stoppage time.
Barcelona also lost defender Inigo Martinez before the half-hour mark through injury, with Ronald Araujo stepping in.
Barcelona and Real met in the competition’s final for third consecutive time, with Ancelotti’s side prevailing last year while Barca lifted the trophy in 2023.
Barcelona booked their spot in the final by winning 2-0 against current Spanish Cup holders Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals before Real beat last year’s Copa del Rey finalists Mallorca 3-0.
Barcelona thrash Real Madrid 5-2 in Spanish Super Cup
Sports
10 Man United beat Arsenal on penalties in FA Cup
10 Man United beat Arsenal on penalties in FA Cup
Joshua Zirkzee scored the winning penalty as a 10-man Manchester United, Man United beat Arsenal in a thrilling encounter to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Man United had to play with 10 men for nearly an hour after Diogo Dalot was shown a second yellow card, having mistimed a tackle on Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino.
Man United took the lead through an excellent Bruno Fernandes goal in the 52nd minute, after Alejandro Garnacho took advantage of a Gabriel slip and crossed for Fernandes to curl the ball into the top corner.
Dalot was sent off in the 61st minute after his clumsy tackle and Arsenal were level just two minutes later when centre-back Gabriel volleyed in from inside the area.
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The Gunners then had a massive chance to take the lead when Kai Havertz was adjudged to have been brought down by Harry Maguire in the box and referee Andrew Madley awarded a penalty.
There was a delay in the spot-kick being taken after a melee in the box in which Maguire, Havertz and Gabriel were all booked.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard then stepped up but Altay Bayindir dived to his left to push away the ball and keep the scores level.
Mikel Arteta’s side had big chances through Declan Rice and Havertz again to win the game but could not beat the impressive Bayindir.
Man United were made to defend throughout extra time as Arsenal looked for ways to take the lead with their numerical advantage.
But Arteta’s side could not find a way through and Havertz had his penalty saved by Bayindir before Zirkzee sent David Raya the wrong way to win the shootout.
The result means Arsenal have exited the FA Cup in the third round for the third time in four seasons.
10 Man United beat Arsenal on penalties in FA Cup
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