X platform is ‘no longer for us’, says Cork City FC

Cork City has become the first League of Ireland club to withdraw from the X social media platform following a backlash against its new ‘rainbow’, LGBT+ kit.

Cork City FC recently launched a third kit, featuring a rainbow design across the club badge and sponsors’ logos, in support of the LGBT+ community.

A minimum of €5,000 from kit sales will go to Belong To, an organisation that supports LGBT+ young people.

Although Cork City was largely praised for the new kit, posts by the club on the X platform over recent days have generated a surge of negative comments.

Groups supporting the LGBT+ community in Cork have expressed their support for the decision to leave the platform.

Konrad Im, manager of Gay Project Cork, told The Echo the group fully supports Cork City FC’s decision.

“Gay Project itself stopped using the platform in May 2025 as it is no longer a positive space.

“We’re delighted to see Cork City FC’s continued dedication to supporting the LGBTQ+ community.

“Their efforts to tackle discrimination, homo/bi/trans-phobia in football is very welcome, as we know so many LGBTQ+ people feel excluded from sport which, historically, has led to negative health disparities for LGBTQ+ people.”

Social media posts on X by Cork City FC in recent days saw a rise in responses from users speaking in a negative manner against the club’s initiative in support of the LGBT+ community.

Many of the anti-LGBT+ posts originated from accounts outside of Ireland, including from the United States.

A Cork City FC statement explained why the club has now withdrawn from X.

It stated: “Over the last while, like many others, we have noticed a significant increase in discriminatory and abusive language on X.

“While differing opinions should and will always be heard, they cross the line when they are intolerant and downright offensive.

“We have a duty of care to our players, our staff, our supporters and the wider community and it is a responsibility that we do not take lightly. ”

The club is maintaining its presence on other platforms, namely Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Threads.

Cork Labour Party senator Laura Harmon praised the club for showing great leadership on the issue.

“The club made such a positive action by donating funds from those jerseys to BelongTo, who do amazing work for LGBTQ+ young people,” she said.

Cork South Central Social Democrats TD Padraig Rice agreed, adding that the negativity surrounding the issue should remind society of the work that still needs to be done to ensure LGBT+ equality and acceptance in society.