Bookmaker Paddy Power is to team with gay rights charity Stonewall in a bid to battle homophobia in football.

The resulting campaign will see all professional clubs across England and Scotland sent rainbow laces for players to wear to highlight their support for the ‘Right Behind Gay Footballers’ campaign during next weekend’s fixtures.

A social media element will also see fans asked to use the hashtag #RBGF during the build-up to the matches themselves.

A spokesperson for Paddy Power, stated: “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.”

Activity will begin from today (16 September) and will include billboard and newspaper ads, editorial columns and celebrities and footballers targeted through social media for support.