The Premier League has ended its eight-year partnership with LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall, which means the Rainbow Laces initiative will not be part of the 2025-26 season.
According to The Telegraph, the decision was made in a meeting with all 20 club captains on Thursday. Instead of using rainbow armbands and laces, the league will launch its own campaign during LGBTQ+ History Month in February. Education on inclusion will still run through community programmes.
The meeting also confirmed that players will continue taking the knee, even though the Lionesses chose not to do so during their Euro 2025 victory run.
Last season saw controversy around the rainbow armband. Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi was reprimanded by the FA after writing “I love Jesus” on his rainbow armband, while Ipswich captain Sam Morsy was not punished for refusing to wear it due to religious beliefs.
Stonewall said Rainbow Laces had improved LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport, helping grassroots players, fans, and some elite athletes feel more accepted, even though openly LGBTQ+ players remain rare in top-level football.
