- The rainbow ball will return in the EFL for the second consecutive year
- It will be used this month to show support to the LGBTQ+ community
- Listen now: Everything is starting! Does Premier League really need to look at goal celebrations?
Puma has launched a new archiris ball to be used by the 72 EFL clubs to show support to the LGBTQ+community.
EFL games played from February 6 to 17 will use the ball that returns for the second consecutive year.
The initiative began last year, with Puma also donating money for each goal that was scored with the Rainbow Ball, and more than £ 16,000 were donated to a LGBTQ+ background for a fan of diversity.
This time, the money will be donated to the homophobia of football V (FVH) for each goal scored in the championship, the league one and the league two.
EFL executive director Trevor Birch said: 'EFL has an important role to play to ensure that our game is representative and cozy for all the communities we represent.
“The Rainbow Ball stands as a representation of our work with clubs throughout the season and is a symbol of our unwavering commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and we are proudly together against homophobia.”
The EFL Clubs will use an iris arc ball produced by Puma between February 6 to 17
The initiative returns for the second year in the fight against homophobia, and Puma will donate money for each goal marked with him.
Puma's managing director in the United Kingdom and Ireland, Lucynda Davies, added: 'In Puma, we are proud to support the LGBTQ+ community once again with the return of Rainbow Ball.
'Football is a sport that unites people, and we believe it should include everyone, everywhere.
'Our ongoing association with the EFL and our donation for each goal marked with Rainbow Ball is only one of the ways in which we are committed to promoting diversity and supporting discrimination in all forms.
“Together, we can make football a more cozy and inclusive space for all.”
The Premier League had its own Cainbow Laches campaign in December, with captains of high flight clubs, all with an arc bracelet to use in two days.
However, the captain of the city of Ipswich, Sam Morsy, who is a practicing Muslim, did not use the bracelet on any occasion due to his religious beliefs.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace's captain, Marc Guehi, wrote 'I love Jesus' in his bracelet for the 1-1 draw of his team with Newcastle.
He was formally reprimanded by the FA, but still wrote 'Jesus loves you' in a new message in his bracelet three days later.
Ipswich's captain, Sam Morsy, refused to use an arc bracelet in December due to his religious beliefs
Crystal Palace's captain, Marc Guehi, wrote messages in his bracelet in successive games
Subsequently, Guehi explained his actions as he told Sky Sports: 'I think the message was quite clear to be honest.
“It was a message of love and truth too, and a message of inclusion, so I think he speaks for himself.”