THIS weekend will see football embrace the LGBT’s #rainbowlaces campaign in a bid to show unity in sport.
The Premier League, Football Association, English Football League, and other sports clubs around Great Britain are taking part in a co-ordinated series of events to show common cause with the Stonewall charity’s initiative.
Each Premier League fixture this weekend will feature a rainbow laces flag at the start of the match and and see rainbow-themed advertising boards, while there is also support throughout the professional and grass roots tiers of the game.
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Laces will be worn by referees and handed out at a selection of fixtures across the nation, while the Wembley Arch will be lit up in rainbow colours on Saturday.
Similar actions will be carried out by Premiership Rugby and Welsh Rugby.
We're proud to be supporting @stonewalluk's #rainbowlaces campaign this weekend!
Read ️ https://t.co/Xsf9eC8vaP #mcfc pic.twitter.com/LwUI0uSF6A
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 24, 2016
And Chelsea have confirmed that rainbow captain’s armbands will be given out to both teams in the London derby clash, Chelsea vs Spurs.
The official Premier League Twitter account has shown its support for the campaign by putting a rainbow background on its logo.
The Palace boys were sporting their #RainbowLaces in training this morning.
Watch the full video at https://t.co/TTogt72Aro now!
pic.twitter.com/V0K48KhNY9
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) November 24, 2016
The Royals are taking part in a campaign with @stonewalluk to show sport is everyone's game #rainbowlaces https://t.co/E5m2x3h97v pic.twitter.com/Vb2wChf7OD
— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) November 23, 2016
However there are seemingly some who are not happy with the stance, saying that “politics” should not be brought into sport.
Others say that the only thing that should be concentrated on is the “football”, while some have asked the Premier League to “change it back”, referring to the background rainbow colours.
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@klaym121 @Bxllerined Because it's great that the @premierleague are supporting LGBT causes.
— coxy
(@coxy) November 24, 2016
@kevoh08 You're right! Doesn't matter about someone's sexual orientation. Football is all inclusive. So it should be of no concern to you.
— coxy
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Some, however, have used the move to launch tirades of homophobic abuse – which has been battered down by huge numbers of social media users.
The campaign is “to raise awareness” and for “pride” writes one user, while another adds that it’s a shame people aren’t “as accepting or open-minded”.
“The [homophobic] comments are “ridiculous” writes Alexander Vlahos, before hash-tagging “loveislove”.
A highly important campaign. The vile replies to this tweet show just how much it's needed! Well done @premierleague & @stonewalluk
️
⚽️ https://t.co/tgVz0xu8sV
— Thom O'Neill (@fakethom) November 24, 2016
A Twitter user going by the name of "frosty" hits the nail on the head in response to the homophobic slurs when he simply writes: "And that's why campaigns like this are needed".
Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore said: "The Premier League is all about exciting, passionate and unpredictable football that is for everyone, everywhere.
"The Rainbow Laces campaign complements the work clubs are doing to promote inclusion and diversity in their stadiums, and across all levels of the sport."
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