The Premier League has severed its eight-year relationship with Stonewall and will no longer participate in the charity’s Rainbow Laces initiative, Telegraph Sport can reveal.
Football’s wealthiest competition has also abandoned the use of rainbow armbands, with captains deciding on Thursday that armbands would display solely the Premier League emblem, eliminating campaign-specific messaging.
The league intends to establish its own LGBTQ+ inclusion programme, scheduled for launch during LGBTQ+ History Month in February.
New Direction for Inclusion
Sources familiar with the plans told the Telegraph that the new initiative will involve discussions with clubs, supporter organisations and various stakeholders. Educational efforts through community programmes will continue to be prioritised.
The termination of the Stonewall partnership reflects the league’s development of internal expertise on inclusion matters. The Premier League has become the most recent prominent institution to cut connections with Stonewall, joining a growing list of organisations distancing themselves from the charity.
This shift follows the Supreme Court’s judgement this year regarding the statutory definition of a woman within the Equality Act framework. Stonewall’s promotion of gender ideology faced significant challenges from the ruling, which has influenced various bodies to reassess their partnerships.
Armband Controversies Lead to Change
The decision comes after incidents involving Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, who inscribed “I love Jesus” and “Jesus loves you” on his rainbow armband during consecutive fixtures.
The England international and committed Christian violated FA equipment regulations, prompting officials to issue a reminder about compliance requirements. Guehi’s actions came during the Rainbow Laces campaign in late November and early December 2024.
Meanwhile, Ipswich Town’s Sam Morsy, a practising Muslim, declined to don the rainbow armband entirely but faced no similar reprimand. This disparity in treatment led to accusations that the FA had created what critics termed a “two-tier mess” in enforcement.
FA’s Different Approaches
The FA issued reminders to Guehi and Crystal Palace about Rule A4 of their kit and advertising regulations, which prohibits religious messages on equipment. Despite writing “Jesus loves you” on his armband after receiving the initial warning, Guehi faced no formal disciplinary action.
In contrast, the FA determined that Morsy’s decision not to wear the armband did not breach any regulations, as it was a matter between the player and his club. Ipswich Town released a statement supporting their captain’s choice, citing his religious beliefs whilst reaffirming their commitment to inclusion.
The incidents highlighted the complexities faced by football authorities in balancing religious expression, personal beliefs, and campaigns for social causes.
Anti-Racism Gesture Also Reduced
During the same Thursday gathering, captains reached consensus on maintaining the anti-racism knee gesture, though limiting it to just two instances throughout October’s Black History Month.
This represents a further reduction in the frequency of the symbolic act, which forms part of the Premier League’s No Room for Racism initiative. The gesture has been gradually scaled back since its introduction in June 2020 following George Floyd’s death.
Previously, players took the knee before every match, but this was reduced to specific occasions including opening weekends, Boxing Day fixtures, and designated No Room for Racism rounds.
Contrasting Approaches
The decision arrives merely weeks after England’s women’s football team declared they would cease performing the knee gesture. The Lionesses’ announcement followed racist attacks directed at defender Jess Carter during the summer’s European Championship tournament.
Their choice to discontinue the practice contrasts with the Premier League’s determination to preserve the gesture, albeit in diminished form.
Anti-racism groups remain divided over the effectiveness of the symbolic gesture, with some arguing it has run its course whilst others maintain its importance in highlighting ongoing discrimination issues.
Stonewall’s Legacy
The charity initiated its Rainbow Laces campaign in 2013, establishing what became a long-standing collaboration with English football’s top division. The partnership had been renewed as recently as 2021 for a two-year term.
During the partnership, the Premier League participated in various initiatives including rainbow-coloured captain’s armbands, laces, pitch flags, ball plinths, and stadium branding during designated matchweeks.
Stonewall’s TeamPride consortium, which includes partners such as Barclays, Sky Sports, and Unilever, has worked to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport since its formation.
Looking Ahead
The Premier League’s new internal programme represents a significant shift in approach to LGBTQ+ inclusion. Details of how the new initiative will differ from the Stonewall partnership remain to be announced.
As football continues to grapple with issues of inclusion, discrimination, and personal expression, the Premier League’s decision marks a pivotal moment in how the sport addresses these challenges.
The league has not yet responded to requests for comment about the ending of the Stonewall partnership or details of its new inclusion programme.
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