Three of Britain's most prominent sporting organisations have cut their relationships with LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall, bringing an end to years of collaboration on diversity initiatives.
The Premier League, Football Association and Premiership Rugby have all withdrawn from supporting Stonewall's Rainbow Laces campaign, which has promoted LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport since 2013.
These decisions represent a fundamental change in how major sporting bodies approach LGBTQ+ advocacy, with each organisation now planning to develop independent inclusion programmes.
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Premiership Rugby will no longer utilise rainbow laces this season
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The move affects some of the longest-standing partnerships in British sport, including the Premier League's eight-year association with the charity.
Football's top division concluded its partnership with Stonewall following internal developments that saw increased diversity expertise within the league and member clubs.
The FA has similarly withdrawn from its arrangement with the charity, pursuing a broader strategy that moves beyond individual campaign moments which have shown limited effectiveness in combating discrimination in the sport.
Rugby union's premier competition has also ceased promoting Rainbow Laces and is reportedly finalising arrangements with a different charitable organisation to support future LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts.
Additionally, the Premier League has abandoned the use of rainbow armbands, with team captains agreeing that armbands will now display solely the league's logo rather than campaign-specific messaging.
The sporting bodies' departures follow a Supreme Court judgement concerning the legal interpretation of women under equality legislation, which prompted significant policy changes across British sport.
Following this ruling, the FA prohibited transgender women from participating in women's football, a move Stonewall criticised as premature, arguing it preceded proper legal and political analysis or official guidance.
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The Premier League are also planning to cut ties with Stonewall
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A representative from Stonewall acknowledged the natural evolution of partnerships whilst defending the campaign's impact: "Rainbow Laces has helped improve LGBTQ+ inclusion, acceptance and participation in sport at all levels, whether player, participant or fan."
The charity highlighted progress in grassroots participation and fan acceptance, noting that "the LGBTQ+ community has increasingly felt more accepted."
Looking ahead, the Premier League intends to unveil new diversity initiatives during LGBTQ+ History Month in February.
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Marc Guehi sparked controversy last season after writing 'I love Jesus' on his armband | REUTERSRecent armband controversies highlighted tensions within football, particularly when Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi inscribed religious messages on his rainbow armband during matches.
The England international wrote "I love Jesus" and "Jesus loves you" on the bands, breaching FA equipment regulations and receiving an official reminder about compliance requirements.
Meanwhile, Ipswich Town's Sam Morsy declined to wear the rainbow armband entirely but faced no similar reprimand, leading to criticism of inconsistent enforcement.
Stonewall emphasised ongoing support from other partners, particularly the Women's Super League, and stressed that "Rainbow Laces and its sporting partners will remain at the centre of those efforts in the years to come."