The Premier League has terminated its collaboration with Stonewall, an LGBTQ+ charity, effectively ending the Rainbow Laces campaign. This decision reflects a change in the league’s approach to inclusivity, with plans to introduce a new initiative centered on LGBTQ+ History Month in February.
The Rainbow Laces campaign, initially launched by Stonewall in 2013 and adopted by the Premier League in 2017, encouraged players to wear rainbow-colored laces and captains to sport rainbow armbands to demonstrate support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities in football.
Despite the split, the Premier League remains dedicated to combating discrimination, according to sources cited by the BBC, with ongoing educational resources and support for clubs. Stonewall noted that the Rainbow Laces campaign has engaged diverse audiences, particularly through the growing popularity of women’s football, and has seen partnerships evolve naturally over time.
The campaign once enjoyed universal support from Premier League clubs, highlighting its significant impact on promoting inclusion within the sport.
In recent years, however, support for the campaign has shown signs of decline. Notable instances include Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy opting out of wearing the rainbow armband due to religious beliefs and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi writing “I love Jesus” on his armband instead.
Additionally, Manchester United reportedly abandoned plans for an LGBTQ+ support jacket after a player refused to wear it, indicating a shift in player participation.
In a separate move, Premier League players will continue the practice of taking the knee during the 2025/26 season, but it will be limited to two occasions in October as part of the “No Room for Racism” campaign during Black History Month.
This follows the England women’s team’s decision to discontinue taking the knee before matches, signaling a broader reevaluation of symbolic gestures in football.
