Premier League to Support LGBTQ Group in Rainbow Laces Campaign

16 November 2018

English Premier League clubs will come together in November and December to celebrate the 2018/19 Rainbow Laces campaign, a show of support for all LGBTQ people in football and beyond.

This season, England’s top tier will promote the campaign across two weeks of matches, providing all 20 League clubs with the opportunity to celebrate their LGBTQ community and to make clear that football is for everyone.

The activities will support British advocacy group, Stonewall’s campaign to encourage fans and athletes to be "active allies" and to play their part in ensuring LGBTQ people feel included in sport.

From Friday 30 November  to Wednesday 5 December, all  matches will feature a bespoke Rainbow Laces pitch flag, ball plinth, handshake board and substitutes board.

Rainbow captain’s armbands and laces will be available for players. LED boards and big screens will also highlight the campaign and the League’s social media channels will feature a rainbow Premier League logo and promote campaign messages.

The League's involvement in the Rainbow Laces campaign forms part of a three-year partnership with Stonewall. The wider relationship includes working with clubs to ensure that diversity and equality is a key part of their community programmes.

Premier League Primary Stars, the League’s primary school education programme, will include bespoke teaching resources to raise pupils’ awareness of gender stereotyping and how it can affect behaviour, self-esteem and future potential.

"Stonewall is an excellent partner for us and we value their ongoing work to support the League and our clubs in promoting diversity across the sport," said Premier League Executive Director Bill Bush.

"Our clubs do fantastic work in this area to reinforce the message that football is for everyone. We are proud to be playing our part and to use our reach to celebrate the Rainbow Laces campaign."

The Premier League is part of TeamPride, a consortium of 10 organisations committed to making sport everyone’s game.