Ipswich Town have revealed that captain Sam Morsy refused to wear a rainbow captain’s armband at the weekend “due to his religious beliefs”.
British-born Egypt midfielder Morsy, who is a practising Muslim, led Ipswich during their defeat by Nottingham Forest on Saturday, amid the backdrop of the now-yearly Rainbow Laces campaign for the Premier League.
Designed to promote inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community, the campaign, run in conjunction with the Stonewall charity, has been part of the league schedule since 2013 and this season runs between November 29 and December 5.
As well as using rainbow armbands for captains and rainbow laces, the campaign also made use of bespoke Rainbow Laces pitch flags, ball plinths, handshake boards and substitute boards at the weekend, and will also do so during match-week 14.
Morsy was the only captain not to wear the armband at the weekend, during Ipswich’s 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest, due to his religious beliefs. The FA is understood to deem that as a matter for Morsy and his club and do not deem it as a breach of its regulations.
In a statement, a club spokesperson said: “Ipswich Town Football Club is committed to being a fully inclusive club that welcomes everyone. We proudly support the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign and stand with the LGBTQ+ community in promoting equality and acceptance.
“During this year’s campaign, members of the club’s men’s and women’s first teams visited our foundation’s weekly LGBTQ+ football session, while the club also made a joint pledge of solidarity and inclusivity alongside Nottingham Forest ahead of Saturday’s game.
“A range of further initiatives are planned around Tuesday’s home game with Crystal Palace, including a takeover of the stadium’s big screen in the moments prior to kick-off.
“At the same time, we respect the decision of our captain Sam Morsy, who has chosen not to wear the rainbow captain’s armband, due to his religious beliefs. We will continue to grow an environment where all are valued and respected, both on and off the pitch.”
Team captains are again due to wear the rainbow armband in the midweek round of Premier League matches.
Separately, Marc Guéhi will not face any punishment for writing “I love Jesus” on a rainbow armband, with the Football Association instead set to formally contact the Crystal Palace captain and his club to remind them of its regulations about not displaying any kind of religious messages.
The England defender, whose father was a minister of a local church in south-east London, added the message to his armband for his side’s 1-1 draw against Newcastle on Saturday.
The appearance on, or incorporation in, any item of clothing, football boots or other equipment, of any religious message is prohibited under Rule A4 of the governing body’s regulations. The FA declined to comment on whether any repeat by Guéhi could lead to a charge, but it is understood that the England centre-back and Palace will be formally reminded of the rules. Palace have also declined to comment.
