England players have been given a free choice over whether to sport rainbow laces at the World Cup in Russia over the next month.
All 14 of the European nations competing at the tournament have been sent packs of rainbow laces by a group of European parliament politicians campaigning against the anti-LGBT sentiment in the host nation.
While homosexuality is not illegal in Russia, strict laws prohibit "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships", and gay football fans travelling to Russia this summer have been advised to be aware of potential discrimination.
According to The Mirror, England players have been informed that they can make their own decisions on whether to wear the rainbow laces, which have been worn by players in the English leagues over the last few seasons during annual awareness weeks.
The Swedish FA has already confirmed that none of its squad will wear the laces, claiming that their side need to focus on "the sporting performance" instead.
England's first game of the group stages will come against Tunisia in Volgograd on Monday night.
Neil Wilkes
