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Premier League launches Rainbow Laces campaign at West Ham

West Ham's London Stadium lights up in support of the Rainbow Laces campaign
Image: West Ham's London Stadium lights up in support of the Rainbow Laces campaign.

The Premier League's Rainbow Laces campaign got underway on Friday as the London Stadium was illuminated to celebrate the launch ahead of West Ham's draw with Leicester.

The annual initiative, set up by Stonewall, runs from November 24 to December 3 and is focused on inclusion at all levels of sport for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT).

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 24:  Fourth official Jon Moss holds the additional time board during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Leices
Image: The substitute board featured rainbow colours

Sky Sports, as a member of TeamPride; a group of businesses and organisations who help bring the campaign to life, support the campaign all year round.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 24:  Wes Morgan of Leicester City in action as he wears the captains armband in support of the  Stonewall Rainbow Laces campaign
Image: Leicester captain Wes Morgan wore a rainbow-themed armband

Last night saw members of both teams wearing rainbow-coloured laces while captains Wes Morgan and Winston Reid wore rainbow-coloured armbands.

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Ryan Atkin, football's first openly gay professional official in the UK, said the sport has a long way to go until it is fully inclusive

Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville and presenter Kelly Cates sported rainbow-coloured microphones showing their support for the campaign, while advertising boards and the scoreline were rainbow-branded.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 24:  Pundits Jamie Carragher (L) and Gary Neville laugh prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Leicester
Image: Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher (L) and Gary Neville sported rainbow-themed badges and microphones

Many sporting bodies, including the Premier League and EFL, take part in the initiative which aims to tackle the barriers which make LGBT people feel uncomfortable or unwelcome in sport, and to take a united stand against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.

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Stonewall's Head of Campaigns Robbie de Santos says this year's Rainbow Laces campaign is all about the fans

You can keep up to date with our digital coverage of the campaign throughout the week at skysports.com/rainbowlaces - and remember to grab a pair of laces for you and your friends and team-mates!

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