The Premier League has ended its partnership with LGBTQ+ charity, Stonewall, bringing an official close to the long-running Rainbow Laces campaign.
The initiative, which began in 2017, had seen footballers across the top flight wear rainbow-coloured laces and captains don rainbow armbands to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion and support the rights of gay, lesbian, and transgender people in football.
However, the league has now opted to go solo, planning its own inclusion campaign to coincide with LGBTQ+ History Month in February.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the decision marks a strategic shift, although sources told the BBC that the Premier League remains committed to fighting discrimination, with educational resources and club support still in place.
“Rainbow Laces has benefited from a wide range of partners with a natural ebb and flow reflecting cultural and sporting changes,” said a spokesperson for Stonewall. “The campaign has reached more diverse audiences, especially through the growing women’s game.”
The Rainbow Laces campaign, which launched in 2013, had once been backed by all Premier League clubs.
But support has appeared to wane in recent years. Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy declined to wear the rainbow armband last season, citing religious beliefs. Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi wrote “I ❤️ Jesus” on his instead. Manchester United reportedly scrapped plans for an LGBTQ+ support jacket after a player refused to wear it.
In a related development, Premier League players have agreed to continue taking the knee during the upcoming 2025/26 season — but only twice, both in October, as part of the “No Room for Racism” campaign during Black History Month.
This comes on the heels of the England women’s team announcing they will no longer take the knee before matches.
WARNING: If You Are Not 18+, Don’t Click The Link Below 👇🫣
https://abnormalitylovingmammal.com/kx6iepv2qm?key=6c14bd1d68e1eba721851f19778f5efe
https://poawooptugroo.com/4/8902554
Please don’t forget to “Allow the notification” so you will be the first to get our gist when we publish it.
Drop your comment in the section below, and don’t forget to share the post.
Never Miss A Single News Or Gist, Kindly Join Us On WhatsApp Channel:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vad8g81Eawdsio6INn3B
Telegram Channel:
https://t.me/gistsmateNG
