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By SAM LAWLEY Published: 01: 07 AEDT, 7 December 2024 | Updated: 01: 07 AEDT, 7 December 2024 5 View comments Thomas Hitzlsperger, the Premier League's first openly gay player, has shared his thoughts on the LGBT pride saga which is engulfing the top flight after several footballers protested against wearing rainbow armbands and jackets. The German moved to the Aston Villa youth team in 2001 aged 19 and played 114 times for the west Midlands outfit, scoring 12 goals in a productive spell at the club. The midfielder then enjoyed a five-year stint at Stuttgart before returning to England for short spells at West Ham and Everton, where he retired in 2013. After he called time on a fine career, Hitzlsperger came out as gay making him the most high-profile footballer to do so. On Wednesday, devout Muslim Noussair Mazraoui declined to wear a rainbow jacket, forcing Manchester United to ditch plans for the team to wear them ahead of their clash with Arsenal. Now Hitzlsperger has opened up on the issue and suggested that those who choose to wear the symbol should be praised for doing so, in a column for the BBC.   The Premier League's first openly gay footballer Thomas Hitzlsperger has spoken out about the LGBT pride controversy dominating the top flight Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy refused to wear a rainbow armband during his side's 1-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest on religious grounds Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi then wrote 'Jesus loves You' over his armband against Ipswich  He said: 'We must not be affected by any objectors or doubters, especially those in high-profile roles, not least famous footballers who like it or not have a platform. 'So let's switch the direction of focus. A rejection of the armband can arguably have a negative effect on the community.   'The near majority of captains wear the armbands, players wear warm-up shirts and jackets in rainbow colours.   'Let's applaud them for taking a stance against division and fighting discrimination and look at the positive developments over the years. ' The 42-year-old suggested that the fact that he was able to come out as gay 10 years ago showed that a great deal of progress had been made on the issue in the 21st century. He clarified that the prime aim of the armbands was to promote tolerance on the issue and that he hoped Palace and Ipswich's statements that their players backed the scheme would also ring true if they had a gay player in their team.   Hitzlsperger added that some of his team-mates had made 'intimidating' remarks in the dressing room, 'maybe unwittingly', but that he had not felt he could voice concerns at the time. The German insisted that things were improving and that the focus should be on the good work of various organisations and not the actions of a handful of footballers. Guehi had been reprimanded by the FA after first writing on his rainbow armband at the weekend Man United scrapped plans to wear an LGBT rainbow jacket after Noussair Mazraoui refused In previous seasons, United have worn the top to show their support for the LGBT community The Rainbow Laces football initiative was first launched in 2013 and sees clubs use rainbow corner flags, while captains wear rainbow armbands as well as laces, in a bid to encourage inclusion and send a message against homophobic abuse. The campaign backed by LGBT+ charity Stonewall has now become an annual tradition for clubs at this time of year. There was some criticism in its first year over a tie-up with betting firm Paddy Power and the slogan 'Right Behind Gay Footballers'. Rainbow-coloured laces were sent to clubs across the country, while high-profile supporters of the launch included former Manchester City and England midfielder Joey Barton and the late footballer Justin Fashanu's niece Amal Fashanu.   Former Stonewall CEO Ruth Hunt has said:  'There's no 10-point charter, or pledge that will prevent someone for shouting homophobic abuse. It needs concentrated work, careful attention and a thought-through strategy to ensure no-one is left behind. ' Morsy, 33,  did not wear the armband for Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest due to his religious beliefs. He was also spotted without the rainbow armband as the players took to the pitch for Tuesday night's clash between Ipswich and Crystal Palace at Portman Road. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi - who is a devout Christian - opted to write 'Jesus loves You' on his rainbow armband. He has since been reprimanded by the FA. He had scribbled a message saying, 'I love Jesus' on his armband the match prior. In light of Morsy's refusal to wear the rainbow armband on the weekend, Ipswich released a statement insisting the club 'proudly supports' the Premier League's campaign.   They said: 'Ipswich Town Football Club is committed to being a fully inclusive club that welcomes everyone.   'We proudly support the Premier League 's Rainbow Laces campaign and stand with the LGBTQ+ community in promoting equality and acceptance, ' the spokesperson said. Meanwhile, Guehi's father - who is a church minister - has since accused the FA of double standards after Muslim player Morsy, who refused to wear the armband, was not punished - and claimed they are pandering to the demands of the LGBT community over Christians. He told Mail Online: 'I am saying did he offend anyone? I don't think so. Hitzlsperger joined Villa in 2001 and played more than 100 matches for the side He retired from football at Everton in 2013 and came out as gay a year later  'I do believe in what the Bible says, Jesus loves everyone, and, in my opinion, Marc did not offend anyone with what he wrote.   'If you look at what the LGBT community are doing, they are trying to impose on others what they believe in, it's belief against belief, but at the end of the day everyone has the right to an opinion. 'But if that opinion's aim is to offend you then there is a problem but if my opinion is just to express what I feel then I think that is fine and I don't think what Marc wrote on that armband is offensive. 'He is talking about him, he loves Jesus and like I said he didn't refuse to wear that armband, like Morsy, people should pay more attention to the person who refused to wear it'.   United were then plunged into chaos after Mazraoui refused to wear a rainbow jacket to show support for the LGBTQ+ community - leaving his teammates divided.   Red Devils players have previously worn a pride-themed jersey to warm up ahead of games, over the past two years, to show support for the LGBTQ+ community as part of the Rainbow Laces campaign. And the club planned to walk-out in a rainbow jacket prior to their clash against Everton on Sunday only for the Moroccan star to refuse. Mazraoui, who is a devout Muslim, told his colleagues that he would not be wearing the jacket and cited his religious faith as his reasoning.   Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi expressed his Christian faith by writing on his rainbow armband for a second consecutive match, before sharing this Instagram message last night Guehi's father John (left) has come forward and defended his son's decision with the armband United decided that no player would wear the tracksuit, so Mazraoui would not be singled out publicly - with the decision reportedly just taken hours before kick-off on Sunday.   In a statement, Manchester United said the club 'welcomes fans from all backgrounds, including members of the LGBTQ+ community', adding: 'We are strongly committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion. 'We demonstrate these principles through a range of activities, including support for our Rainbow Devils supporters' club, and campaigns to celebrate our LGBTQ+ fans and combat all forms of discrimination. 'Players are entitled to hold their own individual opinions, particularly in relation to their faith, and these may sometimes differ from the club's position. ' A spokesman for Stonewall said support for the campaign 'helps people feel safe and welcome'. The charity added: 'It is up to individuals to choose if and how they show their support for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport. ' Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group