Kaue Garcia and Ryan O'Neill, the owners of the rugby league club Keighley Cougars, have announced their plans to step away from the club citing homophobic abuse as the main reason.
The pair took ownership of Keighley Cougars in 2019 and have confirmed in the lengthy statement on the club's website their 'difficult decision' to step away as 'custodians of Keighley Cougars at the end of this 2026 season.'
In 2024, the same-sex couple released a video highlighting some of the abuse receive, which they say 'sparked important conversations' and 'brought attention to an issue that exists not only in rugby league but across sport and society', but the abuse continued.
The statement says:
"Much of that criticism centres around our commitment to inclusion, our support for the LGBT+ community, and the accusation of “not knowing what we are doing” because we are a gay couple who supposedly know nothing about rugby. We heard countless times that we should “focus on rugby” rather than other initiatives.
"Yet despite the noise, we remained focused on our commitment and belief that Keighley Cougars should be a place where everyone feels welcome, regardless of background, religion, sexuality, or gender identity, we wanted our club to be a home for all."
Kaue and Ryan also admit financial pressures and decisions made by the Rugby Football League regarding competition structures over the last few years have played their part.
In the seven years the pair have owned Keighley Cougars, the club have played over 100 games, won the League 1 title in 2022 and staged many pride fixtures.
In a statement on its Facebook page, the Ilkley Pride group said it stands with its sister organisation, Keighley Pride, in condemning the abuse and harassment faced by the owners of Keighley Cougars.
"As an organisation rooted in LGBTQ+ inclusion and equality, we are particularly alarmed by the abuse that appears to be fuelled by intolerance and prejudice towards the values of diversity and visibility that Pride represents. No one should be targeted because of who they are, what they stand for, or their support for inclusive communities.
"The recent abuse reported is unacceptable and has no place in our towns, sport, or our public life."
Kaue and Ryan's statement ends:
"Our commitment between now and the end of the season remains unchanged. We will continue to work hard every day to ensure the club is left in the strongest possible position and to identify the right people to carry Keighley Cougars forward.
"This club existed long before us and will continue long after us.
"We will leave knowing that we gave everything we had, always with the best interests of Keighley Cougars at heart.
"Thank you for allowing us to be part of this remarkable story."
The full statement is available at https://keighleycougars.uk/a-statement-from-kaue-and-ryan
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