Feyenoord captain Orkun Kökçü refused to put on rainbow-colored armbands for ‘non secular causes’

Orkun Kökçü, captain of Feyenoord, one of many Dutch 1st League (Eredivisie) groups, introduced earlier than the match performed towards AZ on Sunday, “he won’t put on the rainbow coloured armband as a consequence of his non secular beliefs”.

Within the away match towards Alkmaar, Gernot Trauner took the sector with the captain’s band.

The captains of the groups within the Dutch 1st League determined to go to all matches with rainbow armbands this weekend as a result of “Coming Out Week”, which helps the visibility of LGBTI+ people within the society.

Orkun Kökçü, captain of Feyenoord, one of many well-established groups of the Dutch League, introduced that he won’t put on the rainbow-colored armbands earlier than the AZ match performed at this time.

In a press release on the web site of the Feyenoord membership, Kökçü stated, “I consider everyone seems to be free to do what they need or really feel,” stating that “no matter their non secular background or selection,” Kökçü stated.

Stating that he understood the significance of the motion to assist LGBTI+ people very effectively, Kökçü stated, “However I consider that I’m not the precise individual to do that due to my non secular perception. That is why I do not wish to do one thing that I would not really feel comfy with.”

Emphasizing that he anticipated some folks to be disillusioned due to this resolution, Kökçü stated, “This isn’t my goal. I hope that my taking such a call will likely be revered due to my non secular perception.”

Feyenoord, captained by Kökçü, who additionally performed within the Turkish Nationwide Soccer Group, is the soccer membership of town of Rotterdam, the place immigrants from Turkey are essentially the most concentrated.

As Feyenoord membership helps the assist motion for LGBTI+ people, reserve captain Gernot Trauner got here out with a rainbow coloured captain’s band within the match towards chief AZ.

Feyenoord Coach Arne Slot made the next assertion to the Dutch media earlier than the match, concerning Kökçü’s resolution:

“Orc got here to me earlier within the week to inform me that he respects everybody however does not wish to be the poster youngster for this occasion. That is why we determined to have Gernot put on the band at this time. It was a tricky resolution, but when somebody is into their religion, there isn’t any level attempting to dissuade them. It is due to his religion. It was very clear and I respect that. Orkun will likely be again on the sector subsequent week as captain.”

The Dutch Soccer Federation (KNVB) emphasised that the slogan “OneLove”, on which the occasion is predicated, is an expression not solely towards LGBTI+ discrimination, but additionally towards every kind of discrimination. The federation stated in a press release, “The colours of the emblem symbolize not solely the colours of the rainbow, but additionally origin, race, gender id and sexual orientation. Nonetheless, everyone seems to be free to put on it or not.”