Sam Morsy, the Muslim captain of Premier League football team Ipswich, refused to wear an LGBTQ rainbow armband last weekend due to his “religious beliefs.”
The Egypt international captained the team at Nottingham Forest – a weekend that saw the Premier League promote their Rainbow campaign in support of the LGBTQ+ community.
As well as players wearing rainbow laces and clubs using rainbow corner flags, captains are asked to wear rainbow armbands.
However, Morsy, 33 – a practising Muslim – was the only one of the league’s 20 captains not to do so.
In a statement Ipswich 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,” a club spokesperson said.
“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.
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“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.”
Sam Morsy plays as a defensive midfielder for Ipswich Town in the Premier League and represents the Egypt national team.
Born in 1991 in Wolverhampton, Morsy has an Egyptian father and an English mother.
Signed by Ipswich in 2021, he has been pivotal in their midfield, leading the team as captain to promotion to the Championship in 2022-23 and then to the Premier League in 2023-24.
Morsy has represented Egypt, making his debut in 2016. He played in the 2018 FIFA World Cup for Egypt, their first appearance since 1990.
