Arsene Wenger has given his backing to the Rainbow Laces campaign, which aims to remind fans and clubs from across the world that homophobia in football, and sports in general, is unacceptable.
The captains of Manchester United and Arsenal will exchange a pair of super-sized Rainbow Laces in a historic moment before kick-off at their game at Old Trafford on Sunday, and the Arsenal manager believes that people’s sexuality should be an irrelevance in sport.
“Sport is based on merit, not identity,” he said. “No matter where you come from or what kind of sexuality you are, you just play on merit,
“If you are good enough, you play. Sport is a big example. It is what society should be about. If you are good enough you play and sport can be a big example.”
You don’t have to scratch the surface very far to find an underbelly of homophobia in football, and as yet, unlike in other sports like rugby and GAA, no Premier League player has felt comfortable enough to come out because of that.
For more on the campaign, see here – or follow the very Arsenal specific Gay Gooners.
Concentrate on winning the league please. Any effort elsewhere is wasted, however good the cause.
Players, practise your shooting, goals are what is needed at the moment, not videos for a good cause.
Be like the invincibles, winners tough at the core, rather than like recent sides, seen as a soft touch that can’t cope when things get tough.
Why are we supporting our team – because they win trophies or because the players are really nice people diverted by doing really nice things?
I support The Arsenal because they ARE The Arsenal… trophy or not. Would I like for them to win trophies… of course. But even if they went countless years without winning one (and there have been such stretches in the club history), I will still support them. The fact that they are standing up for such a cause is one of many reasons why I do. You can’t buy class.
If you only want trophies, Barcelona or Bayern are good clubs to support. You can buy their shirts and show your material pride.
I started to support them about the time Charlie George scored his goal in the FA Cup final in 1971. So have seen enough bad times, though thanks for the lecture, you are a great fan.
We have a chance this season if our players concentrate on winning, not (as I’ve said several times) a GOOD CAUSE.
I’ve met Charlie George. He spends a lot of his time doing good things
I think there’s a spot in the Diego Costa fan club for you mate.
Interesting, you recommend that an Arsenal fan supports a Chelsea player, because I want Arsenal to win trophies?
I’ll stay supporting Arsenal thanks.
Congratulations on missing the point so spectacularly that it’s almost impressive.
Blogs, clearly new shoelaces distract people to the point of it affecting the team. They might even have to tie their shoes themselves.
Trophies are the point of me supporting Arsenal, it seems I’m mostly alone there from the reactions.
The players can spend time recording this video rather than watching videos of their opposition or themselves and doing better in the next match. If they miss the league title by a couple of points who cares?
PS sexuality is an irrelevance in sport. Is anyone arguing against that?
You better ask coq
Sexuality SHOULD be an irrelevance, that’s the whole point. Right now, it’s not. And that’s what this campaign is seeking to address.
The players aren’t any less motivated or professional or interested in winning because they lend their support to this cause, or any other.
Well said blogs.
If they start lending their support to this cause and any other they won’t be concentrating as much as they should on their jobs.
I would prefer if they chose causes that unite fans instead of separating them regardless of how wrong the other side of the argument seems. We wouldn’t be having this discussion if they had a campaign to end hunger in Africa.
I’m going to assume, given that you’re posting here and are not Blogs Himself, that you’re unemployed. Otherwise you’d be ill-advisedly taking time away from becoming a more productive whatever-you-do.
Totally wrong and quite the opposite, doing very well thanks so have the time to do things I want.
And, in my spare time, I’m starting up a campaign for prejudice against unemployed people, which seems unfair to me when people don’t know anything about them and use it as a term of abuse.
Though I’m not getting the Arsenal players involved, I want them to concentrate on winning the league.
Ok f*ck the league.
Lets concentrate on coloured laces and good causes.
I didn’t use unemployment as a term of abuse. The point was a simple one: you criticized the players for making a video under the premise that they should be training/watching film/whatever, which implies that they should have no free time outside work to make the video, as if all one’s waking moments need to be spent in direct service to one’s career (which your commenting itself contradicts unless your career is commenting on arseblog). Simple.
They did this outside work time? Wenger’s press conference was in work time. I don’t think the players all stayed late to do the video.
What do you want – our team to beat Man U or support a good cause?
Very nice.
Those laces look nice!
Once again Arsenal demonstrates its classiness. Top club
Great message, and I love how eloquently the boss puts it.
The laces look pretty cool regardless of what message they send as well 😉
In SPORTS most people don’t rely on religion nor believe in God or His Commandments to guide them, cos if they do, things like this wouldn’t be an Issue!
This comment just makes no sense. Firstly have you even watched any sport? Particularly in america, where the first thing that sportsmen usually reference is God in any victory. Secondly it’s those same God fearing people who are normally the vanguard of the bigotry creating the very issue!
There are 20 % of people who are God fearing. 20% of people who are liberal.
Twas always so.
They fight for the attention of the middle 60% to form social mores.
For centuries the God Fearing won that battle but now they lose it.
Public opinion is the only measure of acceptability – that doesn’t make it right.
Will the FA support religious freedom? Or is it only Gay Pride?
Because you can’t be God fearing and liberal? I always suspected that Jesus didn’t * really * fear God when he did all that free feeding, clothing, and healing. Pinko.
As for people, fair enough. It is a problem which is the premise of this campaign.
As for religion, Jesus said one of the two most important commandments is to love others as yourself. I don’t see anything wrong with that.
Each to their own i guess
If you are good enough you play? Unless you are nick bentner who wasn’t good enough but still played.
Good to say arsenal taking a lead in this matter though. Class as usual.
Well yes each to there own but why does Football need to accept the responsibility for moralising and dictating standards of socially acceptability? If there is a problem with homophobia within football then that needs to be addressed in the clubs. This meaningless gesture is telling society that they have a problem with their attitude and that they need to change – while the fa and uefa can clap themselves on the back for their progayness – but the gay footballers aren’t coming out because of the fans. They are staying hid because they are in all male environments which… Read more »
Great post. It would be very interesting to see what would happen if a top player came out as gay.
Things like this campaign will help that happen.
Not as much as educating the clubs and policing their behaviour.
You’re wrong to say it wouldn’t cause a ripple, of course it would. It hasn’t happened yet and when it does it will be hugely significant.
As for UEFA fining clubs that discriminate against gay players, how is that even relevant? There’s no evidence this is happening.
The reason players don’t come out is not because clubs discriminate, it’s because of the abuse they will get from fans/terraces. Let’s not pretend that because things are more enlightened these days that the kind of people who would mercilessly jump on this are gone.
No but the responsibility is still with the structures. They need to protect their players. they don’t really have a role in instructing or moralising to society. People don’t have to love homosexuals because there was a set of laces exchanged between two footballers in a football stadium. They do tho have to adhere to rules for spectating at the club and be tolerant while they are participating in the event – but only if that club has a clear mandate and publically stated policies to be tolerant towards people of different color, sexuality etc. The club reinforces their mandate… Read more »
All clubs would have those kind of charters – employment law means they can’t discriminate against somebody because of gender, sexuality, colour of their skin. It’s not an issue for clubs, it’s about people. They shouldn’t be doing stunts to raise awareness for something that everyone is aware of. The shouldn’t be telling people what normal acceptable limits are. What does that mean? They’re trying to break down barriers and prejudices, nothing more. It’s something that anybody who is for tolerance and fairness should support. If you dismiss it as irrelevant or some kind of demand on football fans, then… Read more »
but what right have football clubs to impose themselves in breaking down barriers and prejudices? And why these particular barriers and prejudices? because they are popular? I mean they enforce other barriers and prejudices with ticket prices that restrict access to the peoples game, to rich or middle class people. they are prejudices against people who have strong religious views and are inherently against homosexuality. You might concur with that but the club has no mandate to preach any doctrine to its fan base. “It’s something that anybody who is for tolerance and fairness should support.” So, football should be… Read more »
It’s nothing to do with a right. Football clubs have a position in society, and influence over their fans, and if they can use that for some good then what’s the problem? This isn’t an Arsenal campaign, by the way, it’s Arsenal supporting a campaign set up by the people who have been discriminated against and for whom the benefits of this would be enormous. So, football should be reserved for people who is for tolerance and fairness? No, but surely tolerance and fairness is what everybody should want. I’m just not convinced that Arsenal have any more right to… Read more »
Blogs you are speaking with great wisdom. unfortunately the prejudice that exists is evident even in the comments section of a well respected Arsenal blog. Society created this prejudice and hid behind religion to enforce control. Oh how I miss David Bowie
This is far from my favorite topic, but lets not pretend that this gesture is anything more than a marketing ploy – and not a very original one at that. They will continue to back this cause in this way, as long as the circumstances remain marketable. If nobody comes out, I would imagine the club wouldn’t lose much sleep over that. What would be the consequences to your brand in Asia and worldwide if suddenly Cech, Koscielny, Ozil, Sanchez and Ramsey came out? Arseblog, you clever bugger, would you have freely continued to dedicate casual love letters to Pires… Read more »
Marketing for who?!
And what has Robert Pires got to do with anything?
Won’t make a jot of difference? Did you say the same about Kick-It-Out? I remember when monkey chants were quite common at matches in England and it was normal to hear racist taunting of black players when watching games in the pub. Now, thanks largely to Kick-It-Out, that sort of casual racism has become incredibly rare and if it ever happens most people are appalled and don’t know where to look.
High time homophobia became equally unacceptable, but nothing changes without effort. Campaigns like this are necessary and it’s great that Arsenal players are doing their bit. Nice video too.
Per should be allowed to commemorate the occasion by tying Rooney’s rainbow laces for him in the centre circle
If they want Rooney to hobble onto the pitch then it would be correct to tie the laces tightly around his neck and do the world a favour!
The general message in the media is, “its okay to be gay”. Theres gay people in every single media outlet. Radio, telly, magazines papers,social media. So i dont get the sports to cool for gays hype! And at the almost at the same time bashing people for not jumping on the gay/transgender/lesbian bandwagon. Its almost shoved your face, your kids face….i mean like my 8 year old…seeing stuff about being transgender and all sorts. But my question is why? Almost as if your a bad person because of your personal opinion…. I have nothing against gay people, like has been… Read more »
And your point is?
add another reason of how this man brings so much class to this club. we and the footballing world will sorely miss this ambassador of the sport. only one arsene…
I see myself missing 5 minutes before and after kick off. Not that it matters anyway, since I watch on TV. All Free Folk (gay or straight) should be absolutely Free to not like what they don’t like. On with the football ”abeg”!
This rainbow laces is wrong. Just helping gays not saying much about other Christian views or the free folk
So helping others is wrong? How very christian of you…
Yes, helping people is so wrong. More people should not do it so the world can be a worse place.
You’re leaving out a very pro-Christian organization called The Entire Western World.
That is one of my favourite videos on this subject. I could watch it over and over again.
I really applaud the fact that our club is supporting equal rights. Everyone should be able to show who they love. That’s not politics, it’s being a decent human being!
It’s true. Giroud is gorgeous. It’s great to see the club fight something that has no place in any sport, on the field or from the stands.
Arsenal have a long history of tolerance towards gays, from Herbert ‘leather’ Chapman to La di da Gunner (George) Graham.
I can’t change that I look like a gorgeous short and hairy turtle that once looked like a teenage Lewis Hamilton before being mutated.
I’m personally not in support of anything gay; however, that is only my idea and I do not impose my views onto others. Likewise, pro-gay should not be endorsed so openly, considering that there is a vast majority who are neutral.
I’m within my rights to express my views, just like pro-gay and I should not be discriminated for that. If I were to be discriminated or bombarded with abuse, then it shows that I’m being abused for being normal.
Remember, neither do I support gay nor do I insist that being a majority is the norm.
1. Nobody is imposing a view on anyone. 2. Being gay isn’t a view or a lifestyle choice.
People are gay. They are welcome at Arsenal. What’s the issue?
The issue is an inherent, inbuilt homophobia that campaigns like this seek to diminish.
The reaction on this thread is evidence that we have a long way to go still, and shows exactly why Rainbow Laces is needed.
I’m personally not in support of anything gay;
So what if you had a gay friend, or a gay son or daughter, you wouldn’t support them?
I feel this debate is going nowhere fast, just like the topic outside the world of football. Peoples opinion on ‘gay’ being unnatural isnt as such unfounded, but hotly contested and debated. I mean if the human race turnt suddenly gay I think we would become extinct with in the next 100years. And that is against the nature or ours and perhaps all species of life to reproduce and live long prosperous lives. Is that bigotry or fact/science? If your a godly person…well god made man and woman, to create life on earth..allegdely. Its good people have different opinions on… Read more »
When you say unnatural are you also referring to almost every mammal (this includes us) in the animal kingdom that displays homosexuality. Are the sheep unnatural, are the lions, tigers and bears? Oh my. There are even studies that look at homosexual penguins that adopt, incubate and raise abandoned eggs as a couple. This idea that being gay is unnatural is demonstrably false by what the word describes, “nature”.
I merely just explained why some people(didnt say me) thinks its unnatural, and the reason why.
Im fully aware of other animals having gay tendencies…my old dog had a thing for dogs, and my calf….but the vast majority for earths species are what we call straight. Thus becoming the norm, therfore considered the more Natural option and from then on people get the above opinion.
Anyway, like i said before, wish the campaign well, like the laces, hope someone comes out asap, socwe can focus on the GAME i love. Onto a big game tommorow.
I have never seen so many ‘hidden due to low comment ratings’ on a blogs post. It’s is quite evident that there prejudices are still deep rooted in many people. Which is exactly why we need campaigns like this. It’s not pushing an agenda on anyone, all it is doing is saying “hey don’t be a Diego Costa (cunt) to someone if their sexuality is different to yours no matter what your view is.” Pretty simple stuff
there are*
their prejudices*
Last time correcting myself lol
blogs, look at me getting all sorts of heat on the Facebook post of this. never realized how many rotten supporters we have. felt ashamed this morning reading the old geezers’ replies.
I’ll have a look.
If such elaborate support is not imposing / supporting a lifestyle, then what is it? Let their sexual orientation remain at their bedrooms, just like the others!!
Punish anybody who is discriminating them, why extend support?
Moreover, why the intolerance because I’m supportive of the natural orientation?
By saying that you’re implying that gay people are unnatural. That point of view is just not acceptable in any kind of modern, enlightened society.
I’m gay, and in Gaygooners. At the Barca match last week some tourists in the seats behind saw the Gaygooners banner in the clock end and started making disparaging remarks about it. No-one can pretend it’s not an issue, right here in our ground.
It’s not just a matter of “bedrooms”, just as it isn’t for heterosexuals. Do you never talk to your friends or workmates about your partner because he or she only “belongs in the bedroom”? I bet you talk about that person casually. Players might want to have their partner with them during parties, celebrating a trophy, etc., but as long as they cannot be open about their sexuality, they can’t do that. Thomas Hitzlsperger has talked exhaustively about the issues after he came out – there are players who pretend to have girlfriends just so they fit the narrative, sometimes… Read more »
I completely agree with you Blogs. I should, more correctly, have written “why is this still an issue?” It’s 2016. We’ve had equality of marriage for ages. The world did not stop turning. I can’t believe what I’m reading on this thread.
I can’t believe some of the crap I’m reading on here, especially from so-called moral and religious people. Rainbow laces is a great idea to bring attention to this issue. No one seems to complain about FA and UEFA trying to combat racism through football so why does helping rid the world of other types of discrimination (sexual or otherwise) cause this type of hateful speech? It’s 2016, some of you need to come out of your caves. For the record, I’m Catholic and straight. My faith teaches me to love all. For those confused Christians, really ask yourself what… Read more »
I know Catholics who are gay. That would make the heads of some people in this thread explode.
No, the catholic priests where just giving the choirboys health checks!
David, why do you feel the need to tell others how they should feel? Who are you to judge others opinions, just because they dont match your own.
Come out your caves you say, some people have been out their cave, seen it,thought about it…and just thought meh, not for me, if it please you carry on. But i don’t agree with it.
Now thats thier right to believe what they want, just as it is for you to have your own.
But people dont want to be told what to think and feel. Thats plain wrong.
Thanks Blogs for supporting this important issue. I come hear to read about Arsenal but it nice to know that the site is run by a open, tolerant person. I became an Arsenal supporter because of the way they played football, but it is nice to know they are an open and tolerant club.
Like I said, i’m not for discriminating anybody based on their sexual orientation. My question is why eulogise the support for gay like this, when there are so many issues that can be addressed? Poverty, for example. My love for an individual does not depend on their sexual orientation, caste or creed. I believe we are all created by one same God and has loved us all equally, so there is no question of me less loving someone. Blogs, regarding your question about “So what if you had a gay friend, or a gay son or daughter, you wouldn’t support… Read more »
Nobody is celebrating anything.
Also, supporting one thing doesn’t mean that other things aren’t important. That’s a really weird way to look at something – and it’s usually because of an objection to the main issue.
Blogs, I hope you have not blocked me; because if you did that, it would be unfair of you to block me based on expressing a certain opinion, while not discriminating gays.
Just like you, I support a certain orientation without discriminating the other, while expressing my views – what is wrong with that?
Hope your blog does not extend so much of intolerance.
Clearly you’re not blocked. I’d prefer if you could see this issue for what it is – one of human decency and fairness. And if that can happen through conversation then all the better.
You called yourself normal which implies being gay is not normal. Then you keep telling us your not discriminating.
I say I’m normal because I participate in advancing the human race by being hetero…
Tim Cook Apple CEO is gay and I would wager a pretty penny which of you is contributing more to the advancement of the human race.
Gay people still have the ability to procreate, just so you know
Heterosexuality’s not normal, just common :-p
Homophobia, racism, sexism and all forms of discrimination (including that of a persons nationality) are basically the work of cowards.
While this campaign is very classy of Arsenal, I believe it ultimately may lead to lack of team chemistry.
As a player, how would you feel next to someone in the dressing room and showering with someone who you knew was gay? Would it lead to different decisions being taken on the field?
To clarify, I am not homophobic but I just feel that it would destabilize the team if someone in our team came out. Thoughts?
If a player changed their behaviour based on that, I’d think a lot less of them and their maturity. Just like, for instance, I’m thinking a lot less of Jens Lehmann after the truly stupid things he said when Thomas Hitzlsperger came out.
Try having therapy it may help you with your insecurities. You can look st why you would feel uncomfortable in the shower. It might be very revealing for you, depending on how honest you get.
I honestly don’t think it’s really an issue for most people. Gay people aren’t jumping on straight people in showers anywhere. Gay people aren’t deviants. They’re just ladies who like ladies and dudes who like dudes. Worse case scenario maybe a dude will think you’re handsome and pay you a compliment.
What if someone was born Jewish? Would a stalwart Catholic or Protestant prefer to not pass the ball to them? Could that make the chemistry go bonkers? What if Mertesacker read books that Theo find too difficult? Would that rock the boat?
Come on… Are you actually advocating that people who fall in love with people of the same sex as themselves should shut up, hide who they are and, perhaps, preferably get out of football? Because that’s a bit homophobic, I believe.
Something that should be pointed out about this thread is the patience and collegiality shown by ‘Blogs for dissenting opinions. I come here for the footy, but ‘Blogs’ thoughtfulness with dissent is an added bonus.
Were that it were so in all corners with all stripes.
To be fair 95% of this thread has been respectful…whether views are the same or different. I think the same will be said about the behavior of fans in stadia and on social media ect. Once a high profile footballer comes out. Like i said, too much hype, almost overthinking it. It will just become part of the norm…just like in everyday life. We all know a gay person, partner, freind, work colleague…how often do you see them get shit for it. Rarely ever, just like the fat person, disabled person ect.
Homophobia is the hatred or fear of homosexuals, sometimes leading to acts of violence and expressions of hostility. I have expressed none of the above. Yet, I cannot believe the kind of bile that is expressed against my opinions. Where is the question of human indecency here? I support a certain orientation while not supporting another; now, how does that make me an alien or a coward? I am within my rights to express my opinion without discriminating someone or being disrespectful to another person. I said there are many other important issues that need support, why not support others… Read more »
Wonderful. This is called identification with people who are discriminated against. Hopefully this will lead you to being more understanding and empathic. You know how it feels, though you have had very little discrimination in the responses just adult constructive challenge. It could help you to look at why I became so defensive
I think it’s a mistake to say this is “identification with discrimination” because he (presumably) is not being discriminated against, just disagreed with. It’s all too common, especially in the US, for members of dominant culture to cry discrimination when their discriminatory and subjugating views and practices are questioned. These laces will not infringe on There’s ability to be openly straight at all; these laces will not prohibit him from publicly practicing (or not practicing) whatever form of religion he may want, and neither do these oppositional comments. These laces simply state that a significant number of our brothers and… Read more »
Think you missed the point fella.
No, just making another one. This comment thread is loaded with anti-gay commenters claiming they are being discriminated against because others disagree with them.
I don’t agree with what you’re saying but I also think you’ve been pretty polite in expressing your views and I honestly don’t see any bile being directed towards you. You say you support straight people and you just don’t support gay people. Look, you’re entitled to your opinion but without trying to muddy waters do you see how if I said something like ‘I support white people but don’t support black people’ that some people would find that sentiment troubling. Gay people actually need support just so that they can have the same rights as the rest of us.… Read more »
I remember the day gay marriage passed in Ireland. The news that evening was full of happy smiling people celebrating simply being given the same rights as everyone else. No one is losing out here.
I’ll always remember the news interviewing two elderly ladies who were overjoyed to finally be able to express their love just like everyone else. At the end they gave each other a hug and a peck on the lips and I honestly don’t know how anyone could have watched that without it warming their hearts.
Yes, it was an amazing day. Will never forget it myself.
And since then the sky hasn’t fallen in, ‘normal’ marriages appear to be just fine, and people haven’t all GOT GAY or anything
Blogs, have you seen this music video on the subject? It’s very powerful, I hope even across the language barrier (there are English subtitles).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qOg8E4Tzto
No, I will have a look though. Thanks
Just wanted to also add my appreciation that the blog supports these issues and provides a fair environment where we can talk about this kind of stuff.
I don’t know but the thoughts of Ozil and Flamini coming out as the ultimate example of this campaign did scare me for a bit…
But Ozil doesn’t have laces 🙂
I’m personally don’t like anything orange. The majority tend to wear black or blue and people in orange really stand out. I really don’t like it when people push the pro orange agenda on me. People should just put orange back in the closet and only wear it in the privacy of their own home, but that is just my view. Then the majority won’t have to try and understand why some people wear orange or worry that their children or a footballer might one day wear orange. It’s just best kept hidden so as not to offend the majority.… Read more »
How great would it be if the teams walked out before kickoff to YMCA by the village people!!!
The thing is I’m a pretty terrible person. I’m selfish and sorta paranoid and when it comes to gay people I’ve no real frame of reference and I fear I’d sort of shut down in a group of gay people because I’m sorta reserved myself. I don’t campaign or anything for gay people but as a lazy dude supporting gay rights is literally the easiest thing for me to do. I lose nothing and other people get to be happy. It’s a win win situation that requires zero effort from me. For anyone who would like to explore more I’ve… Read more »
And please no silly coq jokes and Ozil and Flamini. Friendship and integrity have been down played these days, under valued qualities of what makes the human race. What are we teaching our kids from our behaviour these days?!! Priorities people! Priorities! Now back to the beautiful game of football not soccer! Haha
Belief are harder to change than behaviour. The campaign doesn’t say, ‘You should think this.’ It says, ‘We think this and we expect you to behave in a way that respects that.’
You’re entitled to be a racist, a sexist, a homophobe inside your own head. It’d be nice if you weren’t, but that’s not within our control. What we can insist is that you behave around our club as though you weren’t.
Eventually, belief will mirror behaviour.
This is important for straight people.