Thomas Hitzlsperger
Former Aston Villa midfielder for BBC Sport

I have seen so much progress. Just the fact that I was able to share my story and come out as gay in 2014 and my involvement in different aspects of the sport I love is part of that.

We have come a long way but it's misguided not to appreciate that we aren't - and may never be - in a perfect scenario, given the way society is mirrored by football.

To be clear - if clarity is in fact needed - the rainbow armband's objective is not to promote homosexuality. It is supposed to help fight discrimination.

So let's switch the direction of focus.

A rejection of the armband can arguably have a negative effect on the community.

The near majority of captains wear the armbands, players wear warm-up shirts and jackets in rainbow colours.

Let's applaud them for taking a stance against division and fighting discrimination and look at the positive developments over the years.

Former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger came out as gay shortly after ending his playing career a decade ago, saying he wanted to "move the discussion about homosexuality among professional sportspeople forwards". You can read his full column for BBC Sport here.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

There has been a lot of noise about the reaction of Ipswich skipper Sam Morsy and his Crystal Palace counterpart Marc Guehi to this week's Premier League initiative around inclusivity and promoting LGBTQ+ issues.

Speaking to the Premier League, they are more concerned about the 18 top flight captains who did wear the armband and all the other initiatives that have been done around the clubs, including Ipswich and Crystal Palace, than any negativity.

The league's view is they want to champion inclusivity and just because individuals may not share exactly the same views is not a reason to step away from involvement.

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Simon Stone
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

Awful news from Manchester United this lunchtime with the news Kath Phipps has died.

She spent almost all her adult life working for United and was often the first person anyone saw at Carrington in her role as receptionist.

Kath was relentlessly upbeat and positive and always had a cheery word for visitors.

She was loved by everyone connected with United and I am sure players will be paying tribute to her as they find out this news.

In many ways, she was Manchester United.

A very sad day. RIP.

Manchester United

Manchester United have released a statement following the death of long-time staff member and "adored member of the Manchester United family" Kath Phipps at the age of 85.

Phipps worked for the club for over 55 years from the late 1960s in a variety of roles, including as club receptionist.

"Having become a key member of the club’s office staff in the ensuing years, Kath later became a matchday fixture at Old Trafford’s directors’ entrance and took on the role of training ground receptionist, ensuring that any visitor to Carrington was greeted by the cheeriest of welcomes," the club said.

"For regulars, that greeting would extend to warm hugs and friendly chats as Kath came to embody the familial atmosphere underpinning the club’s culture.

"Kath was a one-woman institution, whose memory will be cherished by everyone at the club who had the privilege of knowing her. She said last year: 'I can’t imagine doing anything else.' Well, we can’t imagine the place without her."

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Real Madrid

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe had the opportunity to level from the spot against Athletic Bilbao in Wednesday's La Liga match, but the Frenchman's penalty was saved - as happened in last week's loss at Liverpool in the Champions League.

He has posted an apology on his Instagram , externalstory: "Bad result. Big mistake in a match where every detail counts. I take full responsibility for it all. A difficult moment but it's the best time to change this situation and show who I am."

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Wolves

Wolves manager Gary O'Neil was also asked about West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui: "I haven't even considered who will be in charge [of West Ham]. We obviously assume that Julen will be in charge.

"They have an incredible group of players. I think when you look at the amount of attacking talent that they have, what they have been able to add, it's an unbelievably talented group that we have go and face on Monday. They have been in poor form, of course they have, but they go away to Leicester and have 30 shots. They have something there to work with."

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Wolves

Wolves manager Gary O'Neil on if the West Ham game is a must-win: "I always think of it from the football club's point of view, it's not about me. Wolverhampton Wanderers needs to stay in the Premier League, regardless of whether there are seven managers this season or whether it is me who takes it the whole way through. We need to find a way to keep this club in the Premier League.

"That is all that matters. Monday's game will obviously feel huge, as last night's did, as Bournemouth did, as Fulham did, as Southampton did. The whole time we are in and around the relegation zone we are going to be asked the same question for every single game."

Wolves

Wolves boss Gary O'Neil added on his players: "They definitely have the courage and the fight. We are suffering at the moment with conceding goals that should not be conceded at Premier League level.

"Some are really difficult to coach; around passing it to the Bournemouth centre forward twice in the penalty area, around putting the ball in the wrong place.

"Even the third goal, the corner that lands two yards under the cross bar. Stuff like that, you don't see those really in Premier League football. Those bits we sit them down, we show them, we demand better from them.

"But at some point in that moment in the game you have to deal with them. The lads have to find a way to deal with them."

Wolves

Wolves manager Gary O'Neil was also asked if he was hurting after hearing chants from fans: "I am not hurting from on a personal level, I am more disappointed for the fan base because I understand how much it means to them every weekend.

"A long time ago I was a football fan. I know how important those days are to you and how your club gets on and how it performs. It has an impact on how you feel. I know how much they give. Time, travel, money. I have a good understanding of how they feel.

"As I always say the criticism is part and parcel."

Wolves

Wolves manager Gary O'Neil added on if he will still be in charge on Monday: "I can only keep going until things change. As far as I am aware, I took training this morning, players that started have recovered, players that didn't play have trained.

"You won't find anyone more hardworking and professional than me. Last night we watched the game back, this morning we've come back in and we've watched it back again. We have started to get ready for West Ham and I know I can get the group in a good place to go there and give their best again."

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Wolves

Wolves manager Gary O'Neil faced the press before his side take on West Ham on Monday. He was first asked about his job security: "I don't think about me personally. I think for the team and where we are in the league, the last two result have let us down from the momentum we created.

"There always comes the next challenge which comes very, very quickly at West Ham on Monday. There is a lot in the last two games that the group need to take on and learn from very quickly if we want to have a chance of being more competitive and more consistent.

"Of course losing two games back-to-back and conceding four goals in both of them is not where we wanted to be having recovered from a tough start."

Throughout yesterday's live page, we ran a poll on West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui and whether or not he should be given more time in charge.

The results at closing time could not have been closer, a 50-50 split.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

West Ham will decide Julen Lopetegui's immediate future by the weekend.

Lopetegui is under huge pressure following Tuesday's 3-1 defeat at Leicester and sources say the manager's future hinges on a club board meeting to be held later this week.

Brought in on a two-year deal to succeed David Moyes in the summer, the former Spain and Real Madrid coach arrived at the London Stadium amid huge expectation.

West Ham spent more than £120m on nine new players in the belief Lopetegui could steer them towards a return to Europe after missing out last season for the first time in four years.

However, £27m Germany striker Niclas Fullkrug is yet to start a Premier League game, £25.5m Brazilian youngster Luis Guilherme has featured for just 11 minutes in two substitute appearances and many of the other new arrivals, including EFL player of the year Crysencio Summerville, have struggled for form.

While there is also scrutiny on technical director Tim Steidten, Lopetegui is the one feeling the heat. The Hammers have managed just one win in five games since the victory over Manchester United on 27 October that triggered the dismissal of United boss Erik ten Hag.

Tuesday's result left West Ham in 14th position.

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Hull City

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Ruben Selles has agreed to leave Reading and take over as the new head coach of Hull City, BBC Radio Berkshire understands.

The Royals manager is poised to swap a League One promotion push for a Championship relegation battle with the Tigers and will take over from Tim Walter, who was sacked last week.

The two clubs are understood to be finalising compensation for Reading, while the visa for Selles, as an international coach, also has to be amended.

Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has moved quickly to secure a highly-rated manager who has done well in difficult circumstances in Berkshire.

The 41-year-old Spaniard has had to battle points deductions, transfer embargoes and failed takeovers in his time with the Royals but has guided a young squad into the play-off positions.

Read more here.