The captains of two Eredivise football clubs have been criticised for refusing to wear a ‘one love’ arm band supporting the LGBTQ+ community as part of a Dutch football association campaign.

Feyenoord captain Orkun Kökcü refused to wear the armband, citing religious considerations, while Excelsior captain Redouan El Yaakoubi wore an alternative on his arm, with the statement ‘respect’.

‘I think it is important to emphasise that I respect everyone regardless of religion, background or preference,’ Kökcü said in a statement. ‘I think everyone is free to do what they want or feel. I fully understand the importance of this campaign, but because of my religious beliefs I don’t feel the right person to support it.’

De persoonlijke uitleg hierover lees je in ons Matchcenter:#azfey

— Feyenoord Rotterdam (@Feyenoord) October 16, 2022

The Dutch football association KNVB had hoped use of the rainbow band would send out a powerful signal to supporters to coincide with national coming-out day. The KNVB launched the campaign last year and it has since been adopted by a number of international squads. At least seven team captains will wear the armband at the World Cup in Qatar.

Feyenoord director Dennis te Kloese said the club would take an active part in the discussion surrounding Kökcü’s refusal. ‘There is a lot to be done on this issue,’ he said. ‘And it is a theme which we are actively dealing with as a club.’ Talks with Kökcü were ‘difficult’, Te Kloese said.

El Yaakoubi said he had opted to focus on the word respect. ‘Everyone should have respect for each other, not just a group or a theme,’ he said. ‘There are more problems in the world that we can talk about.’