Club explains stance on rainbow laces initiative
WEST Bromwich Albion can confirm it has contacted Stonewall with a view to discussing further ways in which the club can promote ‘equality, diversity and inclusion’.
However, the Baggies will not be asking its players to wear rainbow laces posted to the club by a bookmaker, which has associated itself with the lesbian, gay and bisexual charity, during today’s game against Sunderland.
A club spokesman said: “Unfortunately, we were not consulted about this campaign and had no knowledge of it until a package containing the rainbow laces arrived in the post from the bookmaker.
“Although the club wholeheartedly supports the underlying message behind the campaign, we are not comfortable with the third party commercial link.
“The club encourages and promotes ‘equality, diversity and inclusion’ through work conducted by The Albion Foundation in the local community and with organisations like Kick It Out and Show Racism the Red Card.
“We have contacted Stonewall with a view to discussing ways in which we can enhance this work.”