The Premier League has officially ended its long-standing partnership with inclusion charity Stonewall, bringing an end to the tradition of captains wearing rainbow-coloured armbands during matches.
The collaboration, which began in 2014, was part of the Rainbow Laces campaign — a nationwide initiative promoting diversity, acceptance, and participation in sport. Under the agreement, captains wore rainbow armbands while players were given the option to wear rainbow bootlaces as a visible show of support.
According to a report by The Daily Telegraph, the league will now run its own campaign during LGBTQ+ History Month in February, focusing on in-house expertise developed within clubs. It is understood that captain’s armbands will no longer feature in the new campaign, nor in future initiatives on other social topics... Read complete content click link below
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Past Campaign Incidents
During last season’s Rainbow Laces events, the Football Association (FA) issued a reminder to Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi about kit regulations after he wore a customised rainbow armband with the words “I love Jesus”. No further action was taken when he wore a similar armband in a later match.
Similarly, Ipswich Town skipper Sam Morsy opted for a standard captain’s armband in two matches during the campaign due to his personal religious beliefs, and the FA did not intervene.
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Stonewall’s Response
Stonewall confirmed the campaign will continue through other partners, highlighting its success in promoting inclusivity.
A spokesperson said:
“Rainbow Laces has played a key role in improving inclusion, acceptance, and participation at all levels of sport — from grassroots to elite. While it can still be challenging for professional players to be openly LGBTQ+ on the pitch, progress has been made, and the LGBTQ+ community now feels more accepted as fans and participants.”
They added that younger generations are increasingly focused on fitness, health, and mental wellbeing, and that ensuring equal opportunities in sport remains a priority.
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Looking Ahead
While the Premier League moves forward with its own campaigns, Stonewall and the Rainbow Laces initiative are set to remain active through other sports bodies, including the Women’s Super League, which has recently played a key role in broadening the campaign’s reach.
Source: LBC News
