The EFL PUMA Rainbow Ball is back
Southampton Football Club is proud to support the return of the EFL PUMA Rainbow Ball, which serves as a symbol of inclusion, unity and pride and will feature across all Sky Bet EFL matches from 20th February to 1st March, including Saints' matches against Charlton and QPR this month at St Mary’s Stadium.
The PUMA Rainbow Ball is a celebration of LGBTQ+ fans and represents the EFL and all Clubs’ commitment to ensuring football remains a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for every supporter, in every stadium. Throughout the season, Southampton Football Club stands proudly alongside the EFL, Clubs, players and supporters together against homophobia.
Southampton Football Club’s fixture against QPR will be the club’s dedicated EFL PUMA Rainbow Ball matchday, with representatives from both clubs’ respective Official LGBTQ+ supporters’ groups, Rainbow Saints and Rainbow Rangers, walking out together to deliver the EFL PUMA Rainbow Ball. On this matchday there will also be a special interview with members from Rainbow Saints.
Alongside this activity and together with Saints Foundation and Rainbow Saints, Southampton Football Club also provides free weekly football sessions for those within the LGBTQ+ community. Held on Tuesday evenings from 7-8pm, the sessions are open to all genders and abilities (16+), providing a safe, inclusive, and free environment to play football.
Last season, goals scored with the Rainbow Ball saw PUMA donate £10,000 to Football v Homophobia (FvH), supporting their education and inclusion work across the season. PUMA will once again donate to Football v Homophobia for every goal scored with the Rainbow Ball across all Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two fixtures. The funds will further support programmes designed to tackle homophobia, promote understanding, and strengthen inclusion at every level of the game.
EFL Chief Executive Officer, Trevor Birch said: “The Rainbow Ball is a powerful symbol of the values we uphold across the EFL all season long. It not only reflects our longstanding commitment to ensuring the League is representative of all its diverse communities, but also reminds us that we all have a role to play in creating an environment in which everyone feels they truly belong. Together with our Clubs, players, managers and supporters, we stand proudly Together Against Homophobia, championing a game where everyone feels safe, respected and celebrated.”
EFL partners EA SPORTS are also once again joining in the Rainbow Ball celebrations. For a third successive year, the Rainbow Ball will feature in EA SPORTS FC 26™ giving millions of players across the country the chance to play with the ball, celebrating LGBTQ+ fans nationwide.
Homophobia has no place in football. Anyone found guilty of homophobic abuse, whether inside a stadium or online, could face serious sanctions including stadium bans and legal prosecution. The EFL and its Clubs will take swift and firm action against discriminatory behaviour and will work closely with the relevant authorities to ensure perpetrators face appropriate club sanctions and police action.
Supporters play a crucial role in creating inclusive matchday environments. If you witness homophobic or discriminatory behaviour, you can report it directly using the Club’s reporting mechanisms, through Kick It Out, or by alerting a steward.
