Premier League star ‘confronted club for making him appear to be gay’ after being put on successive Rainbow Laces covers

An unnamed Premier League footballer reportedly challenged his club after growing uneasy that repeated promotional exposure during the Rainbow Laces period could lead to him being “perceived as gay.”

The issue has emerged as the Premier League launches a new inclusion campaign aimed at supporting LGBTQ+ people in football.

According to a report by The Athletic, the player appeared on the front of his club’s matchday programme during the Rainbow Laces campaign for two consecutive seasons and became concerned about how fans and the public might interpret this visibility.

The concern surfaced against the backdrop of changes to the league’s approach to LGBTQ+ campaigns. The Premier League has ended its long-running partnership with Stonewall, meaning captains are no longer required to wear rainbow armbands, and players are not obliged to use rainbow laces or pride-themed warm-up kits.

Instead, the league is exploring alternative symbols of support, including the possible introduction of a pride-themed match ball in future seasons. This year’s dedicated gameweek, scheduled between 6 and 12 February, is considered too soon for that change to be implemented.

The shift follows reported reluctance from some players across the Premier League and English Football League to take part in previous initiatives. Last season, Manchester United scrapped plans to wear a pride-themed Adidas jacket ahead of a match with Everton after defender Noussair Mazraoui declined to wear it.

Similarly, Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy opted not to wear a rainbow armband, citing his religious beliefs. The Athletic report says the unnamed player’s complaint was not about opposing LGBTQ+ inclusion, but about being mischaracterised, with the player worried he would be seen as gay rather than as an ally.

As part of the revamped campaign, the Premier League has partnered with London-based marketing agency Nomad Studio to promote inclusion while also strengthening internal support systems for players and staff seeking help on LGBTQ+-related issues.