The Premier League is in an unprecedented storm of public opinion after Sheikh Jassim – the new chairman of Manchester United – publicly rejected an invitation to attend “Pride Night” organized by arch-rivals Manchester City. His statement, which was described as “shockingly frank”, immediately sparked a heated debate in the British media and global fans.
In an official statement sent out last night, Sheikh Jassim wrote briefly but powerfully:
“Football is about discipline, concentration and respect for the game – not about waving flags or pushing agendas.”
Within minutes of the message being released, social media erupted like a volcano. The hashtags #SheikhJassim and #PrideNightControversy climbed straight to the top of global trends. Millions of comments poured in, dividing the two sides into two distinct camps: one side praised Sheikh Jassim as “a man who dares to speak the truth that many people avoid”, while the other criticized him as “conservative and disrespectful of equality”.
Some Man United fans supported the decision, saying the Qatari president “is defending the pure spirit of football”. “We come to support the team, not social movements,” wrote one fan on the Red Devils Army forum. On the other hand, many other fans expressed disappointment, saying the move “denies the efforts towards inclusion that the Premier League has been pursuing for many years”.
According to inside sources, Manchester City’s management was “shocked and outraged” by Sheikh Jassim’s reaction, as they consider “Pride Night” to be one of the iconic events of the season. A senior City official told The Telegraph: “We just wanted to spread a positive message. But his reaction turned it into a public crisis.”
Major media outlets in the UK have published a series of analyses and commentary, calling it “the first cultural clash between the Arab world and Western politics in modern football.” Some sports commentators have even compared the incident to the Kylian Mbappé incident in Spain, saying that “European football is at a crossroads – with new owners no longer afraid to challenge the old rules.”
Meanwhile, in Manchester, the atmosphere has become tense. Reporters noted that Sheikh Jassim cancelled all scheduled press conferences and appeared at the Carrington training base in absolute silence. One staff member described: “He didn’t say much. He just did his work, met Erik ten Hag, and then left. But everyone felt the pressure on the club.”
Former footballer Gary Neville, speaking on Sky Sports Late Debate, said: “He has the right to his opinion, but the Premier League is not just about football – it’s about culture. Every word has the power to be devastating.”
The incident has also attracted the attention of British politics, with some MPs calling for the Premier League to “re-evaluate” how it manages the image and statements of club owners.
Although there has been no official response from the Man United board, according to a source close to Sheikh Jassim, “he has no intention of taking back his words”. This person said: “He believes that football must be separated from all social trends. He doesn’t care about criticism – he only cares about winning.”
With a brief statement, Sheikh Jassim has inadvertently opened a new culture war at the heart of world football – where every word can now rock the entire league.
