The campaign has been marred in controversy this week.
Premier League clubs have reportedly called on the English football authorities to ‘soften’ the Rainbow Laces initiative going forward.
The campaign, which started in 2013 to promote inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community within the game, became something of a ‘moral minefield’ this week after Manchester United’s Noussair Mazraoui and Ipswich Town’s Sam Morsy refused to wear the rainbow captain’s armband citing religious reasons.
Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi faced backlash and potential punishment from the FA after scrawling the message ‘I love Jesus’ on the rainbow armband he wore in his team’s 1-1 draw against Newcastle last weekend.
Rules ban any ‘political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images’ on players’ equipment, including armbands.
But the fact Guehi was even reprimanded by the FA initially for what was a message of love has sparked concern at certain top-flight clubs, who – according to Sami Mokbel at the Daily Mail – now want the authorities to reflect on the way the campaign is applied to ensure greater understanding of the respective faiths and beliefs of individuals.
A source told the columnist: “Pushing anything on someone is not on if they have different beliefs of faith.
“It’s a very worthy initiative but there needs to be a rethink on how we go about it.”
Guehi told BBC Sport that he didn’t intend for his message to be deemed as “harmful in any way”.
Marc Guehi says the 'Jesus loves you' message he wrote on his rainbow armband was one of "truth and love and inclusivity".#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/T1pC1YIRpZ
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 4, 2024
He added: “I believe 100% in the words that I wrote, even what I’ve just said now – it’s a message of truth and love, and I hope people can understand that my faith is my faith, and I’ll stand by it for the rest of my life.”
Today, Great British Bake Off star Matt Lucas stated that footballers who are offended by the rainbow armband are “part of the problem” of homophobia in the sport.
In a post on X, Lucas wrote that he had been “verbally abused twice on the way to football matches so far this season.”
He continued: “On both occasions I was minding my own business, head down, walking to the ground. I was called ‘a f***ing queer c**t’ by one man and another told me that ‘our club doesn’t want disgusting gay fans’.
“If you’re a player and that offends you less than wearing a rainbow-coloured armband for a couple of matches, then maybe you’re part of the problem.”
Just last week the FA re-asserted their backing for the campaign in their latest equality, diversity and inclusion strategy for the next four years, so it’s unlikely they’ll ‘soften’ the initiative despite the urging of several clubs.
