Over the weekend, the EFL and its clubs turned rainbow in support of Stonewall's Rainbow Laces campaign.
The campaign is about making sport everyone's game, welcoming of lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) fans and players on and off the pitch.Rainbow Laces-themed activities took place at clubs in the EFL’s three divisions, joining other professional and grass roots sports clubs in backing the campaign.
Activities included teams wearing Rainbow Laces during training, laces being handed out at weekend fixtures and clubs organising meetings between LGBT fan groups. Match officials also joined in, with referees sporting rainbow laces.
The EFL’s support for Rainbow Laces forms part of its wider LGBT work delivered in conjunction with clubs through its Code Of Practice. This includes delivering activities, setting policies, and advising on recruitment and education/training at clubs, as well as working with them on establishing LGBT supporter groups. The EFL is also working with the FA on LGBT History month to provide seminars and raise awareness.
Social media
Skipper @mnelse6's boots are pretty colourful with @stonewalluk's Rainbow Laces added! pic.twitter.com/CEGwNGcDin
— Barnet FC (@BarnetFC) November 26, 2016
Proud to be supporting @stonewalluk#rainbowlaces campaign #bcfcpic.twitter.com/WIj8aZnkf0
— Paul Robinson (@Robbo04pr) November 26, 2016
Supporting @stonewalluk in yesterday's match #rainbowlaces 🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/FDeX4qNCeZ
— Tom Smith (@TomBeauSmith4) November 27, 2016
Christian Burgess among the #Pompey players showing support for @stonewalluk's #RainbowLaces campaign today pic.twitter.com/u772YJmRY1
— Portsmouth FC (@officialpompey) November 26, 2016
Warm up underway, with Jonny Williams wearing the @stonewalluk Rainbow Laces in support of all our LGBT fans & players 🏳️🌈 #itfc@adidasUKpic.twitter.com/YZ9cy2uKKq
— Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) November 26, 2016
The U's will be wearing these Rainbow Laces this afternoon for @stonewalluk@EFLpic.twitter.com/pWMsSXIuht
— Cambridge United FC (@CambridgeUtdFC) November 26, 2016
MATCHDAY: #BristolCity are proud to be supporting the work of @stonewalluk's #RainbowLaces campaign this weekend. pic.twitter.com/WUyFihc8W5
— Bristol City FC (@bcfctweets) November 26, 2016
The #Notts dressing room is ready and waiting for the players, who'll be wearing #rainbowlaces in support of @stonewalluk! pic.twitter.com/koxtVVHF75
— Notts County FC (@Official_NCFC) November 26, 2016
There is a 100th appearance in a Town shirt for @CamMcGeehan who has been wearing #rainbowlaces in support of @stonewalluk's campaign #COYHpic.twitter.com/4PNBXB20I1
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) November 26, 2016
#RainbowLaces - Sign the Pledge with @stonewalluk.
— EFL (@EFL) November 26, 2016
🌈✍ >> https://t.co/v6Fbvq6LnH. pic.twitter.com/FyRO4X2J8F
Boots and trainers ready for today's game supporting the campaign of @stonewalluk#rainbowlacespic.twitter.com/0Kn044Xtc5
— Ritchie Humphreys (@ritchiehumphs) November 26, 2016
RAINBOW LACES: #DCFC's @JLButterfield and Craig Bryson are helping to support @stonewalluk's #RainbowLaces campaign this afternoon 🐑 pic.twitter.com/Mi9uGExeo1
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) November 26, 2016
Sign the Pledge
Fans of EFL clubs are being asked to sign the Rainbow Laces pledge and commit to making every part of sport welcoming of LGBT people by visiting http://www.stonewall.org.uk/our-work/campaigns/rainbow-laces.