This is the thing though. Prior to this group of players saying 'no' to wearing the rainbow shirts, had they actively shown that they were 'homophobic' ? Had there been any incidents of them giving homophobic abuse to anyone, on social media or whatever ? Not to my knowledge. So in those terms, what is wrong with their standards of behaviour ? They are just sportsmen, from different backgrounds, and perhaps they hold different beliefs and values to US. If they are just getting on with their jobs of booting a ball around a pitch (and weirdly, deliberately, off it) whilst gauging a few eyeballs and dropping the odd prop forward on his head without engaging in any kind of agenda against LGBT, then what right do we have to tell them "ok regardless of your own personal religeon / beliefs / culture, you must now wear this rainbow shirt to fall in line with OURS" ?
Is that how this is supposed to work then ?
Yes.
I am not a liberal. If people want to join my club they need to pass my tests.
If they'd rather go elsewhere, fine.
(I admit UK engagement with the world isn't 'my club' but I'll petition for what I think is right. Feel free to oppose....)