Gay Arsenal fan Matt Lucas takes aim at rainbow-refusenik footballers and reveals he has been abused and called a ‘f***ing queer ****’ at matches
Matt Lucas has lashed out at players who chose not to wear rainbow-coloured armbands after several Premier League stars refused to show solidarity in the recent round of Premier League fixtures.
It comes after devout Christian Marc Guehi chose to write ‘I love Jesus’ on his rainbow bracelet this weekend, before wearing a second one that read: ‘Jesus loves you’ at Ipswich Town on Tuesday. He has since been reprimanded.
The match at Portman Road was also notable for Ipswich Town skipper Sam Morsy’s decision to refuse to wear the rainbow armband altogether after doing so for the first time last weekend.
Captains wore rainbow armbands in the final two rounds of Premier League matches as part of the Rainbow Laces campaign, which provides support for the LGBTQ+ community in football and beyond.
The Athletic subsequently reported that Man United star Noussair Mazraoui, a devout Muslim, told colleagues he would not wear a rainbow jacket to show support for the LGBTQ+ community, citing his religious faith as reasoning.
United decided that no player would wear the tracksuit, so Mazraoui would not be publicly singled out – with the decision reportedly only made hours before kick-off on Sunday.
Matt Lucas has criticized players who decided not to wear rainbow armbands to show solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community
Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi wrote ‘Jesus loves You’ on his armband against Ipswich Town
Man United scrapped plans to wear a rainbow jacket after Noussair Mazraoui refused
In the wake of the controversy, famous Arsenal fan Matt Lucas has criticized those who decided not to show their support with rainbow bracelets.
‘I have been verbally abused twice so far this season on the way to football matches. On both occasions I was minding my own business, walking with my head down and towards the ground.
‘I was called ‘af***ing queer ****’ by one man, and another told me that ‘our club doesn’t want disgusting gay fans’.
“If you’re a player and it takes less offense than wearing a rainbow-colored armband for a few games, then maybe you’re part of the problem.”
It was a weekend full of controversy: Morsy refused to wear the bracelet, Guehi wrote about his and Mazraoui chose not to wear a jacket.
Despite the FA reprimanding Guehi for his decision to write on the armband, they chose not to take action against Morsy for not wearing it – which Guehi’s father spoke out against.
Guehi’s father – who acThe Justice Secretary – has since accused the FA of double standards after Muslim player Morsy, who refused to wear the armband, was not punished – claiming they are caving to the LGBT community’s demands over Christians.
The club and player were again reminded of the kit rules, which state that the appearance on, or incorporation into, clothing, football boots or other equipment of any religious message is prohibited under Rule A4.
Guehi will not face any formal action from the FA despite wearing a custom rainbow armband for the second time
In light of Morsy’s refusal to wear the rainbow armband this weekend, Ipswich released a statement insisting the club ‘proudly supports’ the Premier League campaign.
They said: ‘Ipswich Town Football Club strives to be a fully inclusive club that welcomes everyone.
‘We proudly support the Premier League ‘s Rainbow Laces campaign and support the LGBTQ+ community in promoting equality and acceptance,” the spokesperson said.
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