#RGBF - Paddy Power is Right Behind Gay Footballers

**LukeC** · 18 September 2013, 10:18 am

Name: 400x300_laces.jpg
Views: 1054
Size: 21.6 KB

Paddy Power is Right Behind Gay Footballers.

Paddy Power, in association with leading gay rights charity Stonewall, are setting out to tackle homophobia in football by distributing rainbow coloured football boot laces to every professional player in the UK.

There are over 5,000 professional footballers across England, Scotland and Wales but none of them are openly gay ?it is widely recognised that gay footballers are too worried about the impact on their careers and personal lives to ‘come out?rather than there being no gay footballers, a scenario that has odds of over a quadragintillion* to one!

Paddy Power and Stonewall have created rainbow coloured football boot laces and distributed them to every footballer across all 134 professional clubs in the UK. Each of these players are being asked to wear the special laces in their club fixtures on September 21st and 22nd to show they support gay footballers. The simple message of “Right Behind Gay Footballers?is designed to kick start a fundamental change in attitude ?it’s not about forcing anyone to come out.

Monday 16th September saw the start of a week’s worth of activity to shine the spotlight on homophobia in football. A series of media partnerships will see daily advertising and editorial support for the campaign across traditional media, billboard sites, and through social media with the aim of getting support from footballers, celebrities, fans, and the public.

Players can simply support the campaign by wearing the rainbow coloured laces in their weekend fixtures and using their extraordinary influence to set a benchmark in world sport. Fans, celebrities, and the general public can simply show their support by taking to social media and using the hashtag #RBGF, standing for Right Behind Gay Footballers, during the week and in the build-up to the weekend fixtures.

Paddy Power, the spokesman for the bookmaker, said; “We love football but it needs a kick up the arse. In most other areas of life people can be open about their sexuality and it’s time for football to take a stand and show players it doesn’t matter what team they play for. Fans can show they are right behind this by simply tweeting using the #RBGF hashtag whilst all players have to do is lace up this weekend to help set an example in world sport.?br />
Stonewall Deputy Chief Executive Laura Doughty said: ‘It’s time for football clubs and players to step up and make a visible stand against homophobia in our national game. That’s why we’re working with Paddy Power on this fun and simple campaign. By wearing rainbow laces players will send a message of support to gay players and can begin to drag football in to the 21st century.

**Anthony-Coral** · 19 September 2013, 2:52 am

Shared this same image on my Fb yesterday, its an interesting way to campaign with the rainbow laces, I'll be looking out to see if anyone wears them

**LukeC** · 19 September 2013, 3:13 am

Everton have said they'll be wearing them and Gary Lineker has said he'll be sporting a pair on Match of the Day, so hopefully it's a sign of a good turnout.

**Marit VS** · 19 September 2013, 4:14 am

I like this campaign! Very nice Paddy Power

Both attention grabbing, but poignant. I hope lots of people wear the rainbow laces!

**AE-Stephen** · 19 September 2013, 4:44 am

Great Idea, hopefully lots get involved.

**DaftDog** · 19 September 2013, 8:30 am

Paddy Power is Right Behind Gay Footballers. I was tempted to make a gay joke about that slogan but managed to control myself.

**LukeC** · 19 September 2013, 8:53 am

Originally Posted by Ixian

Paddy Power is Right Behind Gay Footballers. I was tempted to make a gay joke about that slogan but managed to control myself.

We feel that the issue needs a bold approach to get people on board and make a real impact. Stonewall, who we are working together with on the campaign, are happy with the ads and language used.

**TheGooner** · 19 September 2013, 3:34 pm

So the double entendre was intended then?

**LukeC** · 20 September 2013, 8:50 am

Originally Posted by TheGooner

So the double entendre was intended then?

Yes, we feel that using the kind of language that players and fans speak is necessary to prompt discussion around the topic. Stonewall said to BBC Sport that whilst the slogan might be risque, the "overall message was to make sure that homophobic abuse does not have a place in the game" and that they "don't think it's comparable to the worst abuse. Overall, it is encouraging and engaging support for gay players and attempts to kick homophobia out of football."

All our messaging has been approved by Stonewall - we're being careful that the issue is treated with sensitivity. Even if some people might not wholly agree with the way that the campaign has been carried out, I think it's hard to deny that it's prompted discussion that has been far too long in coming.

Thread: #RGBF - Paddy Power is Right Behind Gay Footballers

LinkBack

Thread Tools

Search Thread

Display

#RGBF - Paddy Power is Right Behind Gay Footballers

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to LukeC For This Useful Post:

The Following User Says Thank You to Anthony-Coral For This Useful Post:

The Following User Says Thank You to LukeC For This Useful Post:

The Following User Says Thank You to Marit VS For This Useful Post:

The Following User Says Thank You to AE-Stephen For This Useful Post:

The Following User Says Thank You to DaftDog For This Useful Post:

Posting Permissions