The Premier League has severed ties with LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall, discontinuing the decade-old Rainbow Laces initiative that saw players wear rainbow-colored accessories to promote inclusion. The move signals a strategic shift as the league prepares to launch its own LGBTQ+ History Month program in February 2026.
Key Details:
✔ Partnership End: Premier League and Stonewall confirm split after 7-year collaboration
✔ Campaign Impact: Rainbow Laces ran since 2013, with all 20 clubs participating at its peak
✔ New Direction: League to introduce independent LGBTQ+ initiatives, keeping anti-discrimination policies
✔ Stonewall’s Response: Charity acknowledges “natural ebb and flow” of partnerships
Why This Matters
• Tests football’s commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion post-Stonewall
• Follows similar moves by UK govt bodies distancing from the charity
• Could influence other leagues’ partnerships with advocacy groups
What’s Next?
→ Feb 2026: Premier League’s new LGBTQ+ History Month rollout
→ Fan Reaction: Potential backlash from LGBTQ+ supporter groups
→ Sponsor Watch: Will club partners align with the league’s new direction?
