Rugby Joins Premier League, Ends Ties with Stonewall, Launches New Anti-Discrimination Campaign
Rugby and Football sever ties with Stonewall and Rainbow Laces
Premiership Rugby has reportedly discontinued its partnership with the anti-discrimination charity Stonewall and its Rainbow Laces campaign, mirroring the recent decision made by football authorities. Last week, the Premier League decided to stop using rainbow armbands and laces in a meeting attended by all 20 club captains, ending its eight-year association with Stonewall just days before the new season.
According to reports, Premiership Rugby is also planning to introduce a new LGBTQ+ initiative and is close to announcing a new charity partner. The league paused its promotion of Rainbow Laces midway through last season.
Stonewall, which launched its Rainbow Laces campaign in Premier League football in 2013, has faced controversy in recent years. Following a Supreme Court ruling in April 2025 emphasizing that only biological women are women, Stonewall’s founder Simon Fanshawe advised organizations to move away from the charity’s influence. Fanshawe criticized Stonewall’s focus on trans rights, urging businesses to adhere to the court’s decision and the Equality Act instead.
The sports sector’s high-profile organizations, including the Premier League, Football Association, and Premiership Rugby, have all cut ties with Stonewall amid debates over gender ideology and its policies.
The decision comes months after some players publicly expressed their disagreement with rainbow armbands. For example, Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, a devout Christian, drew attention in 2024 when he wrote “I love Jesus” on his armband, breaching FA regulations. Other players, like Ipswich Town’s Sam Morsy, have also opted not to wear rainbow symbols.
The Premier League plans to launch a new campaign to promote inclusivity during LGBTQ+ History Month in February. During last week’s meeting, team captains agreed to continue taking the knee prior to matches, despite some players, such as Jess Carter of England’s Lionesses, choosing to step away from the gesture following online racist abuse.