A year on from the release of their striking ‘Unity Kit’, Stonewall FC and EA Sports FIFA have come together again to support this year’s Rainbow Laces campaign, with FIFA 22 players having the chance to unlock the club’s iconic kit in-game by completing a series of objectives.
This time last year, Stonewall FC took the opportunity provided by Rainbow Laces week to unveil their new club kits for the 20/21 season, created in collaboration with lead club sponsor adidas as part of the adidas football collective. Now, the club are partnering with EA Sports FIFA once again, in a move that will see the kit become available in FIFA 22. The kit will be available in FUT until Friday 17th December.
This year, Stonewall UK’s Rainbow Laces campaign is focused on encouraging both LGBTQ+ community members and allies to ‘Lace Up and Speak Up’. It’s a shift from wearing laces as a symbol of inclusion, to a pledge to speak up in support for LGBTQ+ inclusion and having conversations that facilitate positive change.
Stonewall FC Chair, Alex Baker, said: “The inclusion of our Unity kit in EA SPORTS FIFA 22 is a proud moment for us as a club. Stonewall UK’s research indicates that 43 percent of LGBTQ+ people still feel that sport is an unwelcoming space for them, and for over 30 years, our club has existed to oer a welcoming and supportive environment for people to play football irrespective of their sexual orientation and gender identity. We encourage people to be proud of who they are and create spaces where they can be their authentic selves, whilst playing the sport they love.
“We hope that members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies alike will wear our Unity kit with pride - both in-game and in-person - and that the kit sparks positive conversations with friends, family, and networks around the importance of LGBTQ+ visibility and the need to speak up against all forms of discrimination.
“A key focus of our partnership with EA SPORTS is to broaden LGBTQ+ awareness through the reach of the FIFA franchise. We are really excited and thankful that millions of people across the world will see the kit in the game!”
EA SPORTS Marketing Director, FIFA Brand, James Salmon said: “We are proud to once again be partnering with Stonewall FC to celebrate the Rainbow Laces campaign and support the mission to make football everyone’s game. They are more than just a club and we are continually inspired by their work to make football inclusive to all. The FIFA community across the globe is powered by unity, by introducing this FUT kit-in game we hope to raise awareness amongst our players and spark positive conversations that make a difference”.
The Stonewall FC Unity shirt is available for a final time, direct from the club’s store. Stonewall FC will be donating 10 percent of total profits generated from sales to their club partner, Mermaids, while any wider profits will be reinvested into the club. As an incentive for prospective fans, anyone who orders one Unity shirt between the 8th – 22nd December 2021, will be automatically entered into a competition to win one of six digital editions of FIFA 22.
Head to stonewallfc.awesomedistro.com to grab one now.
