The Premier League has announced that it will continue its support for LGBT charity Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign this weekend.
The campaign – set up to show support and solidarity with LGBT footballers and foster inclusivity within the sport – has been running since 2013.
The Premier League has also announced it has joined the TeamPride coalition – also established by Stonewall – which it says in a statement is ‘committed to encouraging fans, players, sports clubs and organisations to show their support for LGBT people’.
Not a single Premier League player has come out during their playing days, though former Aston Villa and West Ham United midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger did so after retiring, and LA Galaxy’s Robbie Rogers retired after coming out in February 2013, only to return to the game several months later.
This marks a sharp contrast from the women’s game, where a number of footballers in the LGBT community have played in World Cups and been welcomed within the sport.
Scott Heavey/Getty Images
“The Rainbow Laces campaign complements the work clubs are doing to promote inclusion and diversity in their stadiums, and across all levels of the sport,” said Richard Scudamore, the Premier League’s executive chairman.
“Our support for the campaign, and the decision to become members of TeamPride, is further recognition that the LGBT community is a vital and integral part of our community.”
The EFL is also backing the campaign, with the league changing its logo to incorporate rainbow colours and issuing a statement in which it confirms its support for activities being carried out at football grounds up and down the country.
The campaign has already received support from within the football world, and many will hope this continues well beyond this weekend.
Amazing #RainbowLaces campaign by @stonewalluk, happy we could support! Football should be inclusive! #Diversity #FootballForAll pic.twitter.com/Fevf4XTsj0
— Football Beyond Borders (@FBeyondBorders) September 25, 2016
🌈 Joe Ledley and Alan Pardew wearing #RainbowLaces in #CPFC training this morning! 🔴🔵 #TeamPride pic.twitter.com/EDQxCye62d
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) November 24, 2016
READ: Sport is for everyone. #htafc is wearing #RainbowLaces to show LGBT fans & players are equal at our Club https://t.co/8CUjjb4mrb (AT) pic.twitter.com/su22cF16IR
— Huddersfield Town (@htafc) November 24, 2016
