Sheffield United defender Anel Ahmedhodzic became the first Premier League player to refuse to wear the rainbow armband during the Blades’ 2-0 loss to Liverpool on Wednesday.
Ahmedhodzic was handed the armband with Chris Basham and John Egan sidelined by injury but he opted not to wear the rainbow alternative, instead choosing to don the standard Premier League armband.
Premier League captains are expected to wear the armband featuring pride colours in selected games as part of the Rainbow Laces campaign – an initiative launched to help kick homophobia out of the modern game.
A statement on the Premier League website explaining their partnership with Rainbow Laces founders Stonewall reads: “Football has the power to bring us together. Clubs and communities are stronger when everyone feels welcome, and it’s down to all of us to make that happen.
“That’s why we, the Premier League, proudly stand alongside Stonewall in promoting equality and diversity. Our clubs will come together between 2-7 December to celebrate Stonewall’s 2023/24 Rainbow Laces campaign and show support for all LGBT people in football and beyond.
“At all Premier League fixtures across the two Matchweeks, there were bespoke Rainbow Laces pitch flags, ball plinths, handshake boards and substitutes boards. There were also rainbow captain’s armbands and rainbow laces.
“LED boards at the stadiums highlighted Rainbow Laces and our social media channels featured a rainbow Premier League logo to promote the campaign.” Yet for the first time in the seven years since the Premier League partnered with Stonewall, Ahmedhodzic has become the first captain not to wear the rainbow armband.
Chris Wilder was questioned about Ahmedhodzic’s decision after the game but the Blades boss claims he wasn’t aware of the situation. “I didn’t know,” he told assembled media during his post-match press conference. “It’s not a club decision or a personal decision. I just didn’t know he did that.”
