3/1 To Win
Official Match Ball Partners of the EFL,
PUMA are delighted to announce a donation of £16,050 to the LGBTQ+ Fans
for Diversity Fund, after 214 goals were scored while using PUMA and
EFL’s Rainbow Ball for LGBTQ+ History Month.
The EFL and PUMA last month unveiled the very first Rainbow match ball to be used in English professional football, which featured in all Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two fixtures between February 16th to 24th.
For every goal scored with the Rainbow Ball by the 72 EFL clubs across Championship, League One and League Two during this period, PUMA committed £75 per goal to the LGBTQ+ Fans for Diversity Fund, meaning EFL sharpshooters across the divisions earned £16,050 in total via PUMA’s contribution.
Per division, goals reigned supreme in the Championship with 78 goals netted across five match days, including the historic first goal scored with the Rainbow Ball by Southampton’s Ryan Fraser.
74 goals in four match days were scored by clubs in League One, with Derby scoring twice in the 1-0 home win over Stevenage and in the 2-1 reverse at Barnsley, while an eight-goal goal-fest between Salford City and Barrow AFC on February 17 raised £600 in one match as 62 goals were scored across three League Two match days.
The Fund, driven by Fans For Diversity – a joint project between the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) and anti-discrimination charity, Kick It Out – will be accessible to LGBTQ+ supporters and their projects which may include initiatives to raise awareness about inclusion in football, events promoting diversity, or providing resources for LGBTQ+ fans within the football community.
Fans For Diversity Campaign Manager, Nilesh Chauhan said: “The Rainbow Ball project symbolized our unwavering support for LGBTQ+ supporters and their invaluable contributions to football. Through this collaboration, we are providing a platform for LGBTQ+ supporter groups to amplify their voices, further their impactful work, and foster a more inclusive sporting environment.
“We are immensely grateful to the PUMA and to the EFL for their dedication to making football a game for all to enjoy, and paves a way for a future where everyone feels welcome and embraced in the football family.”
Bas van den Bemt, UKI Managing Director, PUMA Group said: "At PUMA, we believe in the power of sport to unite and celebrate diversity across all communities. Our collaboration with the EFL to introduce the Rainbow Ball and the subsequent 'Rainbow Goals' campaign is a testament to our shared values of inclusivity and respect.
“The overwhelming response from the teams and their fans, culminating in a significant donation to the LGBTQ+ Fans for Diversity Fund, exemplifies our commitment to making football a game for everyone. We are proud to support such impactful initiatives and continue our efforts to promote equality and acceptance in sports and beyond.”
Across the campaign and LGBTQ+ History Month, EFL clubs up and down the country actively engaged with their LGBTQ+ fan groups to listen and learn on the importance of representation in football.
EFL Director of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, David McArdle
added: “To see the EFL, our clubs and our commercial partners come
together has been incredibly inspiring. I’m proud of the League and its
commitment to making football a welcoming environment for everyone."
For more information on the EFL’s equality, diversity, and inclusion initiatives, visit efl.com/inclusion.
