Danish sports brand Hummel have created a bespoke shirt celebrating inclusivity and diversity in football, as well as hoping to raise money for several LGBTQ+ programmes via auctioning off the shirts.

Hummel’s rainbow warm-up shirt is made up of several flags representing various LGBTQ+ communities, and was created in celebration of Copenhagen 2021 World Pride and Eurogrames.

The shirts will be worn by Everton, Southampton and Brondby - both men’s and women’s teams - ahead of their opening fixtures.

One in five members of the queer community have experienced discrimination on the grounds of their identity, while Kick It Out’s 2019/20 report revealed abuse based on sexual orientation in professional football increased by 95% this past year alone. These shirts aim to raise necessary funds to help support people from marginalised groups, as well as educate those who aren’t.  

All match-worn shirts will be auctioned off with the proceeds donated to local LGBTQ+ initiatives. The proceeds from Brøndby shirts will go to support Danish Pan Idræt, while Everton will donate funds to Everton in the Community’s Youth Engagement Programme with a focus on delivering LGBTQ+ awareness elements to primary and secondary schools. Southampton will make their donation to the Saints Foundation working with young people from LGBTQ+ communities. Everton’s captain, Seamus Cole, was full of praise for Hummel and their decision to create such a shirt: “As a Club and a squad, we have long been committed to celebrating and promoting equality and diversity, not only in football but across society as a whole. It is so important we continue to create environments where people are able to be themselves and that we keep up the fight to eradicate prejudice. Evertonians will all be aware of the All Together Now campaign the Club has been running for the past three seasons and we’re delighted to join forces with hummel today to reiterate our support for the LGBTI+ community once again.”

The auction of the worn warm-up shirts will start on 16th August and can be purchased via Hummel and the respective  club websites.