El Yaakoubi (Excelsior) no longer captain after refusing OneLove band

Redouan El Yaakoubi is no longer the captain of Rotterdam soccer club Excelsior. That decision was made because the 27-year-old defender had refused to wear the special OneLove band earlier this month. That captain’s armband was part of an action by the KNVB against racism and discrimination in any form.

“The OneLove action, however well intentioned, has put things on edge. Forcing people into something is never the way to go,” Excelsior reported in a statement.

“Therefore, in the interest of the club, the player and sporting objective we have together, we have jointly decided to invest the captain’s armband elsewhere within the team. So that both club and player feel free and comfortable in its role in society.”