Are LGBTQ+ people welcome in men’s football?

Marc Guehi, Egnland international.

When it comes to male role models, young men are hard pushed to find someone to look up to in their favourite sport, music genre or indeed any famous man who won't turn out to be a rapist or general piece of shit.

But surely we'd be safe in the hands of a hard working, church going professional athlete? Unfortunately men have a uncanny ability of disappointing expectations regardless of the circumstances.

In recent years we've seen multiple man children in men's football display cowardly acts of homophobia when expected to support their leagues' respective inclusivity programmes for LGBTQ+ fans, namely the wearing of a rainbow armband.

Not a huge ask obviously, captains of their respective teams wear an armband anyway and homophobia is still a huge problem within our community, almost exclusively among men. So a small gesture that would go a long way in helping making our society better and more inclusive, right?

Nemanja Matic, Serbia International.

Of course we don't need to look far to find rich, straight men that have a problem with that. Marc Guehi, England international, has written over the pride armband on multiple occasions with messages including 'I <3 Jesus' and 'Jesus <3 you' notably having never felt the need to do this on any other armband. The FA chose not to take any formal action instead issuing a warning.

Nemanja Matic, former Manchester United and Chelsea player along with Le Harve striker Ahmed Hassan have previously taped over anti-homophobia messages on their kits, both receiving a multiple match ban.

In December 2024, Egypt international Sam Morsy refused to wear the rainbow armband as part of the charity Stonewall's rainbow laces campaign lasting only 7 days.

Sam Morsy, Egypt International.

So why are these overpaid man babies refusing to use their platform and influence to help reduce homophobia and harm to the LGBTQ+ community despite being required to as part of their lucrative contacts with their respective clubs?

Our patriarchal culture in the UK sill encourages homophobia, in England and Wales alone in 2024 there were over 20,000 reported hate crimes based on sexual orientation. So taking a stand against organisations trying to reduce this hate and harm is an act of complete cowardice.

As if standing against a movement trying to reduce hate, harm and intolerance wasn't pathetic enough, the official statements from these players regarding their indiscretions were completely lacking in honestly.

Each of the players involved in these humiliating antics have claimed "religious beliefs" as their reasons for doing so. Imagine the same argument being used as a reason for not supporting racial equality, would we be okay with that? Absolutely not.

Hiding behind religious beliefs in order to reinforce the toxic culture within the men's game that LGBTQ+ people aren't welcome adds another layer of cowardice to the whole scandal, at least be honest and say that you don't support the LGBTQ+ community.

Mark Bullingham, FA Chief Executive.

Of course we will continue to see mental gymnastics from men rather than honestly because if they were honest, they're would a much greater public outrage than we've seen. So pick a weak excuse like 'sorry my religion doesn't want me to support equality' and trust the patriarchy to have your back.

With the Ligue de Football Professional in France being the only footballing body to take formal action, the FA failing to discipline either Guehi or Morsy, this was largely a success for the patriarchy.

Most cowardly of all, Ipswich Town officially had this to say in relation Morsy's actions "We proudly support the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign and stand with the LGBTQ+ community in promoting equality and acceptance" While also saying that they support Morsy's decision, what a load of performative shit.

When we operate within institutions that uphold patriarchal and misogynistic values, it's not brave to speak out against organisations trying to reduce the harm these values cause.

So fuck these cowards, don't be afraid to stand up to any culture or institution that encourages homophobia and intolerance.