Premier League clubs will no longer take part in Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces initiative, instead launching their own in-house LGBTQ+ inclusion campaign for the 2025–26 season. The move ends an eight-year partnership with Stonewall and shifts the league’s visible show of support from November–December to LGBTQ+ History Month in February.
First reported by The Telegraph, the decision follows what the league describes as a growth in “in-house expertise” on equality and inclusion. While Stonewall’s campaign has become a widely recognised symbol of LGBTQ+ acceptance in sport, the Premier League will now design and deliver its own programme in collaboration with clubs.
A Decade of Rainbow Laces Impact
Launched in 2013, Rainbow Laces encouraged players across elite and grassroots sport to wear rainbow-coloured laces and armbands, highlighting equality and acceptance for LGBTQ+ people. Research from 2022 found that 74% of sports fans who saw the campaign considered LGBTQ+ people part of the sport community, compared to 58% who had not.
The Premier League’s departure marks a significant change, given football’s consistent public backing of the campaign in both professional and grassroots settings.
Stonewall’s Response
In a statement to BBC Sport, a Stonewall spokesperson described the shift as part of a “natural ebb and flow reflecting cultural and sporting changes,” adding that the FA and Women’s Super League have helped expand the campaign’s reach to more diverse audiences.
Discrimination in Football Still Rising
The decision comes amid troubling new data from Kick It Out showing that reports of discrimination in football rose again during the 2024/25 season. Of the 1,398 recorded incidents, racism remained the most reported form, but sexism, transphobia, and faith-based abuse all saw sharp increases.
Recent Armband Controversies
Last season, two incidents brought the Rainbow Laces armband into the spotlight. Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy chose not to wear it due to religious beliefs, with the club affirming its support for inclusion while respecting his choice. Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi was criticised for adding religious messages to his rainbow armband, despite FA warnings. His manager, Oliver Glasner, defended his right to express his views while affirming opposition to discrimination.
The Premier League’s new campaign will be closely watched to see whether it matches or exceeds the impact of Rainbow Laces in promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion. For more on equality in sport, visit Stonewall and explore the Enola Global news section for updates on LGBTQ+ issues in football and beyond.
