Clubs within Leicestershire and Rutland can now collect their free rainbow laces from Holmes Park to show support to LGBT people in sport through Stonewall’s campaign.

Rainbow Laces Week, which Leicestershire & Rutland County FA is proud to support, runs from Friday 24 November to Sunday 3 December and gives clubs an opportunity to come together and emphasise that football truly is For All, by wearing multi-coloured laces on their football boots.

Fixtures throughout the week will see players and match officials sport Rainbow Laces on their football boots to amplify the conversation around making football inclusive for everyone; whether you are a fan, player, manager, coach or referee.  Recent statistics show that 55% of sports fans say they wish more sports players were open about their sexual orientation.

GETTING INVOLVED 

Wearing Rainbow laces can make a big difference. By wearing them you are helping to amplify the conversation around LGBT people in football. 63% of sport fans say more should be done to make LGBT people feel accepted in sport and this is setting a strong example to everyone in your local community that your club is a key player in equality. 

We currently have 50 pairs of laces available, and will offer a maximum of 15 pairs to any club that is able to pick them up from Holmes Park before Friday (1 December). The laces will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

For further information, please contact Fay Longdon, Football Development Officer, on Fay.Longdon@LeicestershireFA.com or 0116 284 5931.

SUPPORT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

On the day of your fixture:

1. Show your support for the Rainbow Laces campaign
2. Join together with your team-mates and take a picture
3. Upload your images to Twitter, Facebook or Instagram
4. Use #RainbowLaces, @FA and @StonewallUK 
5. Include the names of the teams in the tweets

HAVE YOUR SAY 

The FA Youth Council is conducting research to gain a better understanding of the diversity of young people involved in football across England. They want to know the views of all young people aged 14-25, whether you play, volunteer or watch football. 

Even if you’re not currently involved in football they would like to hear your views. In line with the #RainbowLaces campaign, research suggests that around 60% of young people say that open LGBT players would have a positive impact on the culture of sport.

The survey should only take about 5-10 minutes of your time and your answers will be completely anonymous. By completing the survey you will have the chance to win two England tickets to a game at Wembley Stadium. Closing date: Thursday 14 December 2017.  

Take the Survey

REPORTING HATE CRIME TO THE POLICE

Leicestershire & Rutland County FA encourages fans and players to report ALL homophobic abuse displayed around football clubs.

Hate crime is any criminal offence perceived by the victim or any other person as being motivated by prejudice or hate, based on a person’s sexual orientation, transgender identity, race, religion, or disability.  

Hate crime victims may experience physical assault, people swearing or making abusive remarks, spitting, insulting gestures or people doing things that frighten, intimidate and cause distress.

Victims and witnesses can report incidents to police without fear via the non-emergency number 101, or 999 if a crime is on-going. Victims can be reassured that they will be taken seriously and treated with sensitivity.  

However if people do not feel comfortable speaking directly to police, hate crime can also be reported online through the True Vision website which all police forces in England, Northern Ireland and Wales are signed up to.  The online report will then be forwarded to the relevant local police force.