Anel Ahmedhodzic gives one-word answer to rainbow armband question after Liverpool clash

Sheffield United defender Anel Ahmedhodzic has been asked about his decision not to wear a rainbow armband in their defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday.

The centre-back was standing in for injured skipper John Egan for the first time this season. The game at Bramall Lane, which was decided by goals from Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai for the Reds, came towards the end of the Premier League’s partnership with Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign, which ran across two gameweeks from 2-7 December.

In Sheffield United’s previous game against Burnley, stand-in captain Oliver Norwood wore the rainbow armband. No explanation was provided as to why Ahmedhodzic had opted for the standard armband against Liverpool.

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A report from Swedish outlet STV Sport has said that Ahmedhodzic replied, “Guess”, when asked why he did not show support for the Rainbow Laces campaign. LGBT+ Sheffield United fan group, Rainbow Blades, shared a statement to Outsports in response to 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. 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.

“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