Sheffield United captain explains why he didn’t wear rainbow armband

Ahmedhodzic was the only one of the 20 captains not to do so

Anel Ahmedhodzic has explained why he didn’t wear the rainbow armband during Sheffield United’s defeat to Liverpoo last week. The defender was given the armband in Sheffield United’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in midweek – the first game of Chris Wilder’s second spell in charge of the Blades. All 20 Premier League captains are required to wear the armband that features the traditional colours of the pride flag in matches specifically allocated for the Rainbow Laces campaign. Ahmedhodzic, however, did not wear the armband. [caption id="attachment_296082" align="alignnone" width="594"] SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Anel Ahmedhodzic of Sheffield United during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Manchester City at Bramall Lane on August 27, 2023 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)[/caption] A statement on the league’s website said: “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.” Ahmedhodzic, 24, became the first captain in seven years to not wear the armband. Plenty have asked the defender about his decision and the 24-year-old told Swedish outlet SVT Sport over text, saying: “Guess”. Asked if there was a reason behind the Bosnian international’s decision to not wear the armband in the aftermath of the game, Wilder admitted he was unaware that he hadn’t followed the league’s protocol. He said: “I didn’t know. “It’s not a club decision or a personal decision. I just didn’t know he did that.” Read next:

• Man United created Premier League history in win against Everton
• Gus Poyet firmly throws his name into the hat for Irish managerial role
• Roy Keane cracks up entire Sky Sports studio with classic response to Dynamo trick