Lineker to wear 'rainbow laces' during TV programme to back gay footballers

Former England football star Gary Lineker will reportedly wear rainbow shoe laces for Saturday night's Match Of The Day programme, which he presents, as a part of a campaign to root out homophobia from football.

The BBC presenter was sent a pair of the special bootlaces produced by gay rights charity Stonewall and bookmakers Paddy Power to support the 'Right Behind Gay Footballers' initiative after he promised to wear them on-air.

According to Metro.co.uk, Lineker's message supporting the cause follows backing for the campaign from Premier League side Everton, including captain and England international Phil Jagielka and other star players.

The report mentioned that all 134 of England's and Scotland's professional clubs have been sent the laces, adding that although the campaign's organisers had feared governing bodies or sponsors might pressurise the clubs to not wear the laces, however, British Labour party politician Ed Miliband has tweeted his support for the 'great campaign'.

Following Miliband's tweet, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport also expressed its support for the campaign, saying that they hoped to see the rainbow laces kick out homophobia from the sport.