"No Punishment in England, But Yes in France!" Nemanja Matić on the Armband Controversy
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Nemanja Matić has been in the spotlight several times for refusing to wear rainbow armbands in both England and France.
While playing for Manchester United a few years ago, on Remembrance Day, players wore poppies, a symbol of British soldiers who fought in World War I. Matić wore the poppy without issue.
However, the following year, the commemoration was broadened to honour all British soldiers, with an emphasis on those serving in NATO.
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What Matic said
Matić discussed his time in England, where he faced no repercussions. He refused to wear the symbol representing the alliance.
"I told the management and others at United that I didn't want to wear that armband because NATO bombed my country. The club understood my decision and didn't cause any problems, and neither did the Premier League.
"There were some negative comments and articles afterwards, but I explained my decision, and it didn't bother me." - Nemanja Matić, as reported by Sportal.
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"There are always problems. It seems I'm made that way. This time, it was about the anti-homophobia armbands. I even wore one on my shirt once because I didn't realise what it was about.
"But this was a different situation. They had made new jerseys to celebrate the club's 75th anniversary, inspired by their historic kits. We were looking at them the day before the game, and I saw it.
"I said, 'What's this…? Oh, I shouldn't have seen that.' So I covered it up, and they suspended me for two games, with another two suspended if I do it again. So, I already know it's four (laughs)." - Nemanja Matić
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