The Football Association (FA) is facing criticism from Harry Miller, the founder of Fair Cop, regarding its Rainbow Laces campaign, which promotes support for the LGBTQ+ community in football. This backlash comes in the wake of legal action taken by Linzi Smith, a Newcastle United fan who has been banned from attending matches until 2026 due to her public expression of gender-critical views on social media.
Smith's legal team, SinclairsLaw, has issued a formal letter to the FA, asserting that the governing body has "acted unlawfully" by encouraging Premier League players to wear equipment adorned with rainbow colours during its Rainbow Laces initiative. Speaking in defence of Smith, Miller characterised the FA's actions as part of a broader agenda enforced by advocacy groups such as Stonewall and suggested an overreach by authorities in relation to fans who hold gender-critical opinions.
Miller expressed his criticism vehemently during an interview with right-wing broadcaster GB News, labelling the FA, Stonewall, and the police as part of an "axis of evil". He highlighted Smith's situation, stating that her ban resulted from her belief in biological sex, saying, “she said that she was LGB, not LGBT”. He posited that such views would lead to football enthusiasts being "hounded" by authorities and facing considerable sanctions, stating that the FA's message to the 35 million annual football viewers is that those with gender-critical beliefs are unwelcome in the sport.
Furthermore, Miller made a provocative comparison, equating the current climate surrounding discussions of gender identity and football with a "fascist regime." He asserted the need for immediate action to prevent what he perceives as an encroachment of gender identity issues into women's sports. "The time to kick this out and address this is not when it reaches full term growth," he emphasised, advocating for urgent steps to remove Stonewall's influence from football altogether.
Miller also underscored the political nature of Pride and the policies championed by Stonewall, referencing a political manifesto published by the organisation in 2019 as a point of contention. He concluded with a vow to pursue the removal of Stonewall from football, asserting, "We're going to do it quickly, and we're going to do it forever."
Source: Noah Wire Services