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Football Paddy Power Stonewall

Everton, Newcastle, Reading, BT Sport and outspoken Joey Barton rainbow lace up in support of gay footballers in Stonewall #RBGF campaign

By Angela Haggerty, Reporter

September 22, 2013 | 8 min read

Footballers and managers took part in the rainbow laces campaign on Saturday in support of stamping out homophobia in the game.The campaign was launched by LGBT equality charity Stonewall in partnership with bookies Paddy Power.It has been well received on Twitter despite the refusal of the Premier League and the FA to officially get involved, citing lack of consultation and sensitive commercial issues due to the bookies involvement. Some of the countries biggest clubs, including Manchester United, did not take part.Meanwhile, another organisation, Football v Homophobia, declined to support the campaign because it felt the language of the campaign – called ‘Right Behind Gay Footballers’ – reinforced stereotypes often passed off as ‘banter’.However, Stonewall told the BBC it chose to involve Paddy Power because it spoke “the language of fans and players” and said the message of the campaign was clear.Queens Park Rangers midfielder and outspoken tweeter Joey Barton got behind the campaign along with a host of others.

Campaign: Stonewall teamed up with Paddy Power

Football Paddy Power Stonewall

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