Town have issued a statement regarding Sam Morsy not wearing a captain’s armband in support of the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces.

Morsy, 33, was the only top-flight skipper not to don the armband backing the campaign supporting the LGBTQ+ community during the weekend matches, the club citing the midfielder’s religious beliefs. The Egypt international is a practising Muslim.

“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.

“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.”

Photo: Matchday Images

kwakaboy added 18:42 - Dec 2 Well done Sam just a normal guy with an opinion. Almost no different to the LBGTQ + brigade and their opinion. I do worry what the + stands for, how many more can there be ? Also no different IMHO to somebody not wishing to be a leming and go on strike. Storm in a tea cup and a load of hyped up rubbish.
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warfarinman69 added 19:03 - Dec 2 It may not have been Voltaire who said it, but Tony Benn once said something similar about Enoch Powell: "I may disagree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to say it". Get off Morsey's back and be tolerant to him too. I don't necessarily agree with his stance on other issues, but as been said on here, others gave their life so that we can have differing views. Why should one viewpoint be promoted and considered above an individual's right to religious beliefs?

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cressi added 19:13 - Dec 2 It's Sam's choice religion or not never be forced into something you don't want to do. I have no interest in this my interest is watching my football team live and let live I say.
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Bluearmy_81 added 19:43 - Dec 2 It’s been proven by science that people are born straight or gay so to be against/intolerant towards homosexuality and at the same time believe in a God that creates everyone (and therefore makes people straight/gay/bi etc) makes zero sense to me…
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Cakeman added 20:06 - Dec 2 Cloddyseedbed, very well said I could not agree with you more.
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rodc added 21:08 - Dec 2 Some of the social media coverage on the web is disgraceful in my view and I hope Morsi does not see it. He has played so well at this higher level this season and we need him to be at his best tomorrow evening! I hope the fans give him a huge cheer of support when each member of the team is announced.
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bugblatter added 21:18 - Dec 2 This does sadly make Sam Morsy come across as a bit of dick (hear me out!) I completely respect religious beliefs up to the point when they cause others harm. Which this really does, albeit indirectly. It may be "his opinion", but his opinion has been informed by an ancient religion created back when it was important for humans to procreate to keep populations high — being gay was too counter-productive! I've read it was all over social and mainstream media in Egypt with praise being given for his decision… his actions are pretty irrelevant here, it's in countries where being gay is outlawed that the damage is done.

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BuckieBlue added 21:25 - Dec 2 Whatever any of us think about his beliefs (which I'd hope any open minded fan will respect) it takes courage to take a stand against the majority opinion, and with that in mind I think it's great that we've a captain with such strength of character.
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orfordbuoy added 21:28 - Dec 2 Buckieblue - the majority (including 19 other captains) believe discrimination is wrong. It does not take courage to counter that.
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cressi added 21:34 - Dec 2 His our captain and has been superb in how he has played conducted himself and to be honest I'm not interested in this movement I wasn't particularly interested in what happened to Rodney King either not that I don't believe in treating people equally or with respect I just don't want it shoved down my throat I'm there for the football as I have been for over 50 yrs .
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FromIpswichToPhoenix added 22:08 - Dec 2 This is where my issue with religion comes into play. It's the cherry picking of what does and doesn't apply to you. If your religion is anti gambling and LGBTQ, you can't overlook one and not the other. The Bible is cherry picked by Christians with what they want to weaponize. Either believe in all of it or none of it. I don't care either way, just be consistent with your beliefs or lack thereof.

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Boneym added 23:17 - Dec 2 good for sam for sticking to his beliefs, this forcing people to accept things that go against what they believe is out of control.when will we have a hetrosexual armband day ?
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Juggsy added 23:23 - Dec 2 Tolerance is accepting people for what they are and being respectful. It doesn't mean you have to display their flags or colours in support or celebrate their choices or beliefs. Sam Morsy has never come across as anything other than respectful, what more is expected?
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Oldschoolnumber9 added 01:42 - Dec 3 No one should have to explain themselves for not wanting to participate in a PR stunt. I haven’t met the man but he strikes me as an honourable character who would respect anyone. Wearing an colourful armband doesn’t prove or disprove your tolerance or define your character. It shows obedience. People who know him will know the truth. We get these measly scraps of information and people accuse him of all sorts of nonsense. I hope he continues to do the club proud tomorrow. COYB

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Jugsy added 10:48 - Dec 3 Oldschoolnumber9 - actual it's the complete opposite. The premier league is trying to stimulate positive change and by not being part of that to challenge outdated and incorrect views of LGBTQ, it's demonstrating obedience to those old views. Football is far reaching and incredibly powerful platform. Fans love it when remembrance commemorations are acknowledged but when anti-racism or LGBTQ support weeks take place, a great deal of umbrage is taken. Morse and the club have clearly stated it's because of his religious beliefs, so there's no misunderstanding or lack of detail there. I go back to my original point that we have an ambassador for our LGBTQ community in Chappers and it would have made a great deal of sense to promote him to captain for the game to bring the right sort of attention to the initiative. It's very sad to read some of the posts from our gay fans who feel letdown by some of the views on here and intimidated by a debate which really shouldn't have happened. I'd encourage fans to think positively and be inclusive, rather than feel imposed upon. It's takes energy to do either thing, would it not be more fulfilling to you to use that energy to make some feel better? Rather than push a viewpoint which is likely to upset people?

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Cafe_Newman added 11:57 - Dec 3 @bluewarrior (13:57 - Dec 2) It's encouraging that your comment is by far the most popular comment on this issue. Thank you for posting it and thanks too to all those that upvoted it. Using football as a vehicle to push anything other than healthy sporting participation is the stuff of rather unhealthy authoritarian rulers intended to create a compliant populace. Thanks.

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Motown added 13:01 - Dec 3 Have to agree with lots of commenters on here - love Sam for so many things, but really disappointed with him here and hope his thinking on this issue can evolve over time. I admire his willingness to speak up for some oppressed groups, but we can't pick and choose which human rights we support, and the right to love who you want is pretty fundamental. Glad to see the club being unequivocal in it's support for the rainbow laces campaign, and a shame someone else couldn't have worn the armband on Saturday. Solidarity with all LGBTQ+ ITFC fans.

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TimmyH added 13:12 - Dec 3 Everybody has their right to opinions and if he doesn't want to wear it then it's down to him, unfortunately you have to tow the line in everything now days otherwise your seen as a bigot.
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bugblatter added 16:55 - Dec 3 @62WasBest — what point are you making with that link — it doesn’t disprove people are born gay, just that there's no single genetic cause. We are born black, white, gay, straight, etc. These are not lifestyle choices (unlike racism/homophobia/recognised god of choice). It is not a matter of opinion. We are all humans and should be treated equally so.
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Cafe_Newman added 17:17 - Dec 3 @ bluewarrior (13:57 - Dec 2) After initially upvoting your comment, I accidentally downvoted it - effectively cancelling out my upvote. Unfortunately, I can't correct the actions of my fat fingers, sorry.
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TimmyH added 18:48 - Dec 3 spot on! 62 Was Best.
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