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Rainbow Laces campaign supported in Premier League and Twickenham

Sunday 26 November 2017 13:47, UK

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: Mamadou Sakho of Crystal Palace wears the Rainbow captain's armband as part of the Stonewall Rainbow laces campaign during
Image: Crystal Palace's Mamadou Sakho wore a rainbow captain's armband

The Rainbow Laces campaign received strong support on Saturday in the Premier League, EFL and rugby matches up and down the country.

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).

Keegan Hirst on My Icon
Keegan Hirst on My Icon

The rugby league star talks about his personal journey and coming out - watch on SS Mix on Sunday

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.

Rainbow Laces was well supported in the Premier League and the EFL on Saturday as a number of players, managers and referees wore rainbow coloured laces on their boots.

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Rugby shows its support for the Rainbow Laces campaign at Twickenham
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: The Wembley arch lights up in rainbow colours for the Stonewall Rainbow Laces campaign after the Premier League match betwe
Image: The Wembley arch was lit up in rainbow colours for the Rainbow Laces campaign

At Wembley, the arches of the stadium were lit up after the game to display a rainbow while Crystal Palace captain Mamadou Sakho wore a rainbow captain's armband.

And there was also support in rugby as thousands of laces were handed out to fans at Premiership Rugby matches.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: A linesman holds his touch flag up which shows his support to charity Stonewalls Rainbow Laces campaign, which is endors
Image: A touch judge holds up a rainbow flag
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: The fourth official displays LED board with rainbow colours in support of Stonewall Rainbow Laces campaign du
Image: The fourth official displays a board with rainbow colours at Newcastle v Watford

Referees wore Aviva Pride logos and the flags used by the touch judges were replaced with rainbow flags. There was also support for the campaign at Twickenham where England beat Samoa.

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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.

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!