The Premier League has ended its collaboration with LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall, marking the conclusion of the long-running Rainbow Laces campaign.
This move represents a change in the league’s approach to inclusion, as it prepares to launch a new initiative in February aligned with LGBTQ+ History Month.
First introduced by Stonewall in 2013 and adopted by the Premier League in 2017, Rainbow Laces sought to promote LGBTQ+ visibility in football. During the campaign, players wore rainbow-coloured laces, while captains sported rainbow armbands to publicly support gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities in the sport.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the decision reflects a strategic shift, though sources told the BBC that the Premier League remains committed to combating discrimination, continuing to provide educational resources and backing to clubs.
“Rainbow Laces has benefited from a wide range of partners with a natural ebb and flow reflecting cultural and sporting changes. The campaign has reached more diverse audiences, especially through the growing women’s game,” said a spokesperson for Stonewall.
Although all Premier League clubs once backed the campaign, support has declined in recent years. Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy refused to wear the rainbow armband last season, citing religious beliefs, while Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi opted for one inscribed with “I ❤ Jesus.” Manchester United also reportedly dropped plans for an LGBTQ+ support jacket after a player declined to wear it.
Separately, Premier League players have agreed to continue taking the knee during the 2025/26 season — but only twice, in October, as part of the “No Room for Racism” campaign during Black History Month. This follows the England women’s team’s decision to stop taking the knee before matches.