In response to media enquiries about rainbow captain’s armbands which are supplied to clubs as part of the Premier League’s annual Rainbow Laces activation, a Football v Homophobia spokesperson said:
“Captains who choose to wear rainbow armbands send a strong message of allyship towards LGBTQ+ communities everywhere, not least those associated with their club or team.
“Football v Homophobia exists to challenge all forms of anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination in the game through education. We encourage those in leadership positions in football to engage directly with players in preparation for campaigns; to have conversations about the effect their interactions may have, particularly on young people; and to communicate clearly and unequivocally to a wide audience that there is no place for prejudice of any kind in the game.”
Notes for editors
About Football v Homophobia
Football v Homophobia (FvH) is an international initiative that exists to challenge discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression at all levels of football.
We want football to take a clear stand against homophobia and transphobia so that everyone can enjoy the beautiful game and so that football leads the way in removing discrimination and prejudice based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Learn more here.
Rainbow armbands are available to purchase from FvH through the FvH Shop.
The annual Month of Action for the FvH campaign is held every February in what is also LGBT+ History Month.
Clubs, groups, leagues and organisations are invited to register now for February 2025. See our 2024 Champions here.
FvH provides education sessions for players from U10s to first team.
For more news and content relating to FvH as well as our Football v Transphobia initiative, visit our archive.
Contacts
Lou Englefield, FvH campaign director
lou@footballvhomophobia.com
Jon Holmes, FvH media consultant
jon@footballvhomophobia.com