Joey Barton backs campaign against homophobia by wearing rainbow laces

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton has called on his Twitter followers to back a campaign trying to stamp out homophobia within football.

Gay rights charity Stonewall have sent all 92 Premier League and Football League clubs, as well as the 42 professional outfits in Scotland, rainbow laces to wear on their boots to show their support.

Barton wrote on Twitter: "Show that peoples sexuality shouldn't be an issue. Join the rainbow laces movement. Sexuality in sport should not be an issue in the 21st century."

The Right Behind Gay Footballers campaign has singled out September 21 and 22 for players to wear the laces during matches.