Rainbow row: Premier League clubs snub bootlaces for gay campaign in protest at bookies Paddy Power



Premier League players will refuse to back an initiative to stamp out homophobia in protest against betting company Paddy Power.



The firm, together with gay-rights charity Stonewall, have sent multicoloured bootlaces for players to wear in this weekend’s games.



As Sportsmail revealed, most Premier League clubs refuse to fully back the scheme.

Lacing up: QPR midfielder Joey Barton wore rainbow boot laces to support a campaign against homophobia in football

Supporting the campaign: Everton, including defender Phil Jagielka, will wear rainbow laces

Only Everton, an official partner of Paddy Power, will enforce the idea upon their players for the match against West Ham at Upton Park.



THE DECISIONS

ARSENAL Maybe

ASTON VILLA Maybe

CARDIFF Maybe

CHELSEA Players’ choice

CRYSTAL PALACE Players’ choice

EVERTON Yes

FULHAM Players’ choice

HULL Players’ choice

LIVERPOOL No

MAN CITY Players’ choice

MAN UNITED No

NEWCASTLE Players’ choice

NORWICH No

SOUTHAMPTON No

STOKE Maybe

SUNDERLAND No

SWANSEA No

TOTTENHAM No

WEST BROM Maybe

WEST HAM No

It has emerged many Premier League stars are against wearing the rainbow laces due to the firm’s involvement in the scheme.



Paddy Power have upset professionals in recent months with billboard advertising that has mocked players.



Chelsea last night confirmed their team would not wear the laces.



A statement said: ‘We fully endorse the principles behind this but have a number of issues with it in its current form, among them the lack of consultation and commercial aspect.’



Cardiff’s Aron Gunnarsson has said he will wear the laces, despite the collective anger from clubs about the scheme.



Many view it as a publicity stunt.

Stonewall defended its association with the betting firm.



It said: ‘We’re a small charity, so the reality is Paddy Power enabled us to reach out to players and clubs with this message.



'The laces are not branded with Paddy Power on them.



‘This was an effective way of getting our message across. The needle on homophobia in football hasn’t moved nearly as far as it should. It’s clear in football people aren’t comfortable being themselves.’

Saying yes: Cardiff's Aron Gunnarsson will wear the rainbow laces

No thanks: Southampton and West Ham will not be wearing rainbow laces this weekend



