The new jersey was introduced as a symbol of inclusivity and diversity within football. In a statement promoting the kit, Cork City FC said it reflected the club’s commitment to creating a welcoming environment for everyone in sport, while also supporting LGBTQ+ youth in Cork. As part of the initiative, the club pledged that a minimum of €5,000 from jersey sales would be donated to Belong To, an organisation that supports LGBTQ+ young people across Ireland.
While the kit received widespread praise from supporters and community groups, it also attracted a wave of negative and abusive responses on X. Many of the hostile comments targeted the LGBTQ+ community directly, with some of the criticism coming from accounts based outside Ireland, particularly in the United States.
In response, Cork City FC announced that it would no longer remain active on the platform. In a statement explaining the decision, the club said it had noticed a “significant increase in discriminatory and abusive language” on X in recent months. The statement added that while different opinions should always be respected, abusive and intolerant comments had crossed the line.
The club stressed that it has a duty of care towards its players, staff, supporters, and the wider community, and that remaining on the platform no longer aligned with those responsibilities. Despite leaving X, Cork City FC confirmed it will continue engaging with fans through other social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Threads.
Local LGBTQ+ organisations praised the decision. Gay Project Cork said it fully supported the club’s stance, noting that it had also stopped using X in 2025 because it no longer viewed the platform as a positive space. Politicians including Laura Harmon and Padraig Rice also commended the club for showing leadership and standing firmly behind equality and inclusion in sport.
