The owners of Keighley Cougars have reversed their decision to step down from the club after receiving an overwhelming show of support from fans following reports of homophobic abuse.
Married couple Kaue Garcia and Ryan O'Neill announced last month that they intended to leave the Betfred Championship club after seven years at the helm, citing the impact that “constant personal attacks” had had on their mental health.
The pair, who have become well known for championing LGBTQ+ inclusion within rugby league, said they had now changed their minds after what they described as an “extraordinary outpouring of support” from supporters and the wider community.
In a statement, Garcia and O'Neill said: “Together, we're going to build something that Keighley can be proud of.”
Since taking over the West Yorkshire club, the couple have introduced a number of initiatives aimed at making rugby league more inclusive. These include an annual Pride match and the sport's first Pride Terrace, designed to provide a space where supporters can enjoy matches free from prejudice.
Rainbow flags also fly year-round above Cougar Park as a visible symbol of the club's commitment to the LGBTQ+ community.
The strength of feeling among supporters was evident during Keighley's home match against Swinton on Sunday, where fans turned out in force to back Garcia and O'Neill.
Speaking after the game, O'Neill admitted the pair had “wobbled a lot” over their original decision as messages of support continued to pour in.
The club had already entered discussions with a prospective buyer before deciding to remain in charge.
Reflecting on the decision, O'Neill said: “What we hadn't realised was that we have an army of kindness within our club.
“In today's world, negativity often shouts the loudest. It can sometimes make you believe hate has won. What we've learned over the last week is that loyalty and decency are far stronger – they're just sometimes quieter until they need to be heard.”
Garcia said the response from supporters had reinforced their determination to continue the work they had started at the club.
“The incredible support has given us renewed energy and belief to continue building that vision,” he said.
He added that fans had reminded the couple they could not “let hate win”.
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