‘PC gone mad’ over football league’s rainbow corner flags, decry Twitter trolls
Homophobic Twitter users aren’t happy after the English Football League announced a series of rainbow-themed initiatives.
On Wednesday (November 14), the English Football League (EFL) revealed that its 72 clubs across the country would use rainbow substitution boards and corner flags in a show of support for LGBT+ inclusivity in the sport.
But anti-LGBT+ Twitter users were angered by the announcement, with one decrying the move as “PC gone mad.”
Some Twitter users were upset by the EFL’s LGBT+ initiative. (EFL/Twitter)
Twitter user brands EFL’s rainbow initiative a “load of rubbish”
Another social media user branded the campaign as “nonsense,” while one person vented: “I am fine with gay equality but why the f*ck?”
One Twitter user said: “I feel this is getting rammed down my throat now , it’s every week something is happening . I have nothing against gays , trannys or bisexuals but Jesus [sic]!”
“I am fine with gay equality but why the f*ck?”
— A disgruntled Twitter user
And one person exclaimed: “What a load of rubbish.”
The initiative will raise awareness of Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign, which promotes LGBT+ equality in sport by encouraging sports players to wear rainbow laces.
It’s the second year in a row that the EFL has shown support for LGBT+ inclusivity.
EFL shows support for Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces
There are still no openly gay players in the top four tiers of English football.
72 clubs in the EFL will use rainbow corner flags and substitution boards. (EFL)
Clubs in the EFL will select a fixture between November 24 and December 1 to put on a Pride-themed display for LGBT+ fans, players and staff.
Players will also wear rainbow laces and the captain will don a rainbow armband.
The EFL will also give its logo a rainbow-inspired makeover and will release short videos sharing the stories of LGBT+ fans.
EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey said: “We are hoping our specific Rainbow Laces initiatives this year, which includes new rainbow substitution boards as well as converting all corner flags at EFL grounds into rainbow colours, will again grab the attention of football fans up and down the country.
“This year’s campaign is also about recognising how to be an LGBT ally in football, which complements the work our Clubs are undertaking week in week out, up and down the country as part of the EFL’s Equality Code of Practice.”
Harvey acknowledged that homophobic attitudes remain in the football world, saying: “Although much positive work has been done, we recognise that we cannot stand still which is why the EFL remains committed to proactively promoting diversity and inclusion in all areas of football, both on and off the pitch.”
