The Premier League has officially ended its partnership with LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall, marking the conclusion of the long-running Rainbow Laces initiative ahead of the 2025-26 season.
The decision, reported by The Telegraph, follows a meeting with all 20 club captains, where it was agreed that rainbow armbands and laces would no longer be used. While the Rainbow Laces campaign is being discontinued, the league stressed that promoting inclusion and diversity will remain a priority through community education programmes.
Instead of continuing with Rainbow Laces, the Premier League will introduce its own LGBTQ+ campaign to coincide with LGBTQ+ History Month in February. This shift represents a significant change in the league’s approach to tackling discrimination and promoting acceptance in football.
The Rainbow Laces campaign has faced controversy in the past. Last season, Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi was reprimanded by the FA for writing “I love Jesus” on his rainbow captain’s armband, while Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy, a practising Muslim, refused to wear the armband entirely due to religious beliefs. Morsy was not punished, as his decision did not breach league rules.
In response to the partnership ending, a Stonewall spokesperson praised the Rainbow Laces initiative for improving inclusion, acceptance, and participation for LGBTQ+ individuals in football.
“While challenges remain for elite players to be openly LGBTQ+ on the pitch, there are now role models in the game, and grassroots participation has become easier. Fans from the LGBTQ+ community increasingly feel more accepted in football,” the spokesperson said.
