Premier League ends partnership with LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall

Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign, which launched in 2013, was supported by all clubs in England’s top flight.

The initiative encouraged all Premier League players to wear rainbow-coloured laces and captains rainbow armbands to show support for the rights of LGBTQ+ people, inspire acceptance among children and young people, and promote equality and diversity.

Ipswich captain Sam Morsy, a Muslim, decided not to wear the rainbow armband last season, with the club saying it was because of his “religious beliefs”.

Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi wrote ‘I [heart] Jesus’ across his armband, while Manchester United abandoned plans to wear a jacket supporting the LGBTQ+ community because a player refused to wear it.

Meanwhile, Premier League players have agreed to continue taking the knee in 2025-26.

But they will perform the gesture, which is linked to the Premier League’s “No Room for Racism” campaign, on just two occasions during October’s Black History Month.

It comes after the England women’s team announced they would stop taking the knee.