The Football Association will once again throw its weight behind Stonewall’s annual Rainbow Laces campaign.
As part of this campaign, Stonewall FC, Britain’s most successful LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans) football club, will make history when they take on take on Wilberforce Wanderers AFC in the Middlesex County Football League Division One at Wembley Stadium on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).
It will be the first time a non-League seasonal fixture has been staged under the arch and this flagship match will kick-off a weekend of support.
The EFL and Stonewall have sent Rainbow coloured corner flags and laces to every EFL club, a number of which are competing in the Emirates FA Cup second round over the weekend.
And every club in the Emirates FA Cup second round has been sent social media assets while host clubs have been given programme ads to further promote the campaign.
Meanwhile, FA Women’s Super League clubs have been sent Rainbow coloured laces which their players can wear this weekend. This weekend's Emirates FA Cup match officials have been sent the same laces.
The campaign is also being backed on the training pitch, with tutors on the recent FA Level 4 (UEFA A) course at St. George’s Park swapping their old laces for Rainbow laces.
And Richard Meeks, a women’s and girls’ development officer, donned Rainbow laces when he supported coaches on the FA Level 3 (UEFA B) course.
While there will be a specific focus on the campaign this weekend, Stonewall continues to offer support to anyone who wants to challenge bigoted attitudes in sport all year round.
If you are the target of LGBT abuse and feel the need to speak to someone, then there are a number of ways to get help from The FA and organisations like Stonewall.
You can also report any concerns directly to your club, County FA, The FA or Kick It Out. You can e-mail us via FootballForAll@TheFA.com or info@kickitout.org.
