In the world of ice hockey, the Fife Flyers have caused yet another controversy after backtracking on a decision to wear rainbow strips in support of the LGBT community.
The Kirkcaldy-based pro team were due to wear the themed jerseys as part of their annual Pride night on January 31st, but decided to only wear them during warmups.Â
The club stated it was to “respect the diverse backgrounds and beliefs of our playing group”.
Many LGBT fans and allies have voiced their outrage at the regressive decision, including local charities.
Fife Pride has denounced the Flyers.
“Pride is not a warm up”
Fife Pride
Meanwhile, The Hive Kirkcaldy cut ties with the team, refusing donations from the jersey auction.
Fife player David Booth was seen skipping warmups, and his wife took to social media to defend the decision.
In a desperate flurry of replies, she implied that the Pride jerseys represented “an ideology [they] don’t agree with” and compared them to MAGA hats.
Booth left the Flyers’ 6-1 defeat with an injury and did not return.
Just two months ago, the team angered fans by signing controversial NHL star Milan Lucic, who was accused of domestic violence before having the case dropped in 2024.
For many fans, the Pride night fiasco is the latest step in the wrong direction for the UK’s oldest ice hockey team.
Following the backlash, the club said they were “truly sorry”, however leadership’s unwillingness to stand by its female and LGBT fans has become painfully obvious.
