16 December 2023 , 09:00
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Openly gay footballer Zander Murray has hit out at Sheffield United star Anel Ahmedhodzic for refusing to wear a rainbow armband in his side's defeat by Liverpool.
Ahmedhodzic was named captain for the clash at Bramall Lane, which came during the Premier League's Rainbow Laces campaign period. During the campaign, which pushes for equality for LGBT+ people in sport, skippers are expected to wear rainbow armbands.
The defender took to the pitch wearing a standard one though and when questioned by STV Sports about whether he refused to wear the rainbow one, he simply replied "Guess". His actions have left Murray, who is one of just two openly gay British professional footballers currently playing, unimpressed.
Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football, the Stonewall ambassador said: "We need to kick out all discrimination in football. Of course, my focus is on gay players. But, you're going to focus on show racism the red card and other forms of discrimination, but you can't support our one? That's baffling.
"What is it, literally one week where you're asked to wear rainbow laces or an armband. I can't think of the arguments. What are you going to base it on? It baffles me to be honest that people are refusing it because that only incites more hatred. It's not pleasant at all."
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Given Ahmedhodzic's refusal, Murray is hopeful more players will speak out in support of the Rainbow Laces campaign and the LGBT+ community. But the Gala Fairydean striker insisted he only wanted players to speak if they truly mean it.
Openly gay footballer Zander Murray has blasted Anel Ahmedhodzic for refusing to wear a rainbow armband"As long as it comes from their heart and is authentic. Like Aaron Ramsdale. As long as it's authentic and it comes from the heart that's where it really hits home. If people don't then fair enough," he said.
"But the ones who stand out to me are the ones who actually mean it. It's a holistic approach. It's not just the laces, it's the corner flags, it's every team doing their own unique promo towards it. It's an all-out approach which I love.
"So many clubs from the top down are doing great work with it. It's just showing that football should be for everyone. It's the beautiful game and it deserves to be for everyone."
Murray and Blackpool academy striker Jake Daniels remain the only professional footballers in Britain to be openly gay. But the Scot hopes that soon a Premier League player will feel comfortable enough to come out, as he highlighted the importance of the Rainbow Laces campaign to reaching that step.
"As I have already said, it's the beautiful game and it deserves to be beautiful for everyone. But also what would be unbelievable would be someone, if they're ready, to just be their authentic selves at the top of the English game," Murray said.
"If they can handle that media onslaught and if they're fully accepting of themselves, I mean, look at the traction that we've got in terms of me and Jake in the lower leagues in British football, imagine a top-flight player in Britain.
"Obviously, we had Justin Fashanu years ago but in this day and age, they would be overwhelmed by the love and support. I think that will supersede any negativity and I think Rainbow Laces can only continue to show that support so hopefully we can have that person who is brave enough to do it.
"Just look at how incredible our lives have become. And what they would do would tenfold that. My last message is very simple: if you are ready, you have no idea the love and support and Rainbow Laces is at the forefront of that."