Rainbow Laces

London FA Supporting Rainbow Laces Campaign

London FA, its affiliated clubs, leagues and volunteers, are joining the country in supporting Stonewall's Rainbow Laces campaign.

Between 22 November and 8 December 2019, London FA will be joining the country in supporting the Rainbow Laces campaign; an initiative created by charity Stonewall, which campaigns for LGBT+ equality and inclusion within sport.

This year’s Rainbow Laces Day will take place on Wednesday 27 November 2019.

The campaign is one that has achieved huge support across all levels of football, with football players, coaches, referees and volunteers at all levels sporting the trademark rainbow laces in games during the weeks of action.

To enable as many players, teams and officials to showcase their support for Rainbow Laces during the weeks of action, London FA has delivered over 200 pairs of rainbow-coloured laces, to enable teams playing within the association’s Southern Sunday League and Thames League to wear them in fixtures.

On Sunday 1 December, the Southern Sunday League will be hosting their day of awareness with 14 teams and 187 players set to wear rainbow laces for their fixtures. 

In addition, the meeting between Wimbledon Town B and Brixton Town in the Ken Bailey Cup will be a designated Rainbow Laces fixture, where in addition to all participants wearing rainbow laces; both captains will wear special rainbow-coloured armbands to enhance the show of support.

Paul Bickerton, Chief Executive Officer of London FA, said: “Sport in general should be enjoyed by everybody and anybody who wishes to take part – and in the case of football, this is a message that London FA is fully supportive of and passionate about promoting. 

“We’re proud to back Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign and are delighted to have the Southern Sunday League and the Thames League involved. Football is a game for all and I’d encourage as many people involved in all levels of football across the capital to show their support to help eradicate discrimination and promote inclusion for our LGBT+ community.”

Throughout the Rainbow Laces campaign, London FA will be publishing features highlighting the capital’s grassroots community’s work to eradicate discrimination in football, in addition to sharing posts on social media where clubs, leagues and volunteers have showcased their support to Rainbow Laces.

Any leagues, clubs or players wishing to show support for the Rainbow Laces campaign can do so by visiting www.stonewall.org.uk, where pairs of laces can be ordered.

All participants showing their support are encouraged to share content of what they’re doing to back Rainbow Laces via London FA’s social media platforms, using the hashtag #RainbowLaces and mentioning @LondonFA on Twitter, @ldnfa on Instagram or @LDNFootballAssociation on Facebook.