Sheffield Utd star gives one word answer to rainbow armband refusal vs Liverpool
Sheffield United defender Anel Ahmedhodzic has declined to deny claims that he refused to wear a rainbow armband in his side's defeat to Liverpool.
The game came towards the end of the Premier League's Rainbow Laces campaign, which works to inspire equality for LGBT+ people within sport. The defeat to Liverpool was Ahmedhodzic's first game as captain this season, with normal skipper John Egan injured.
But instead of the rainbow armband the Premier League expects captains to wear during the Rainbow Laces campaign, the Bosnian wore a standard armband. No explanation was initially provided for the absence of the rainbow armband, which Oliver Norwood had worn in the Blades’ previous game.
Ahmedhodzic has now broken his silence, responding with the word "Guess" when asked why he did not wear the armband by SVT Sport. The LGBT+ fan group for the Bramall Lane side, Rainbow Blades, admitted their disappointment at the situation.
"We believe football is for all and are naturally disheartened that the Rainbow armband was not worn by last night’s Captain during our Rainbow Laces fixture vs Liverpool," a statement from the group to Outsports read.
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“We are in dialogue with the club about the importance of visual allyship, especially during a national campaign such as Rainbow Laces. We have a strong relationship with the Club and have their support.
Anel Ahmedhodzic has declined to deny claims that he refused to wear a rainbow armband (Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)“We will continue to work with Sheffield United, as we always have done through our strong relationship, continuing to create a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ football fans at Bramall Lane.
“We are pleased with this year’s activation with Sheffield United marking the campaign in numerous ways. We will continue our work to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion at both Sheffield United and in the wider football community.”
The club themselves insist they are "proud" to support Rainbow Laces, but insisted that teams could "make their own decision with regards to how to support the campaign". The only openly gay professional footballer in England, Jake Daniels, has previously called on straight players to show their full support for the campaign.
Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football last month, Daniels said: "It's amazing just being able to see footballers that might not be gay accepting and being able to push that forward with rainbow laces or a rainbow armband.
"Whatever it is, just to make that difference. The impact on football just proves that footballers are with people all the way. I see more pride flags being waved at football games, we're seeing other little differences here and there.
"One hundred percent there could be more changes but I think it's a good progress. There's definitely been a difference and I'll 100 percent be wearing my rainbow laces and armband or whatever it takes for me to push that across."
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