Football News

The first ever Rainbow ball used in English professional football is to join the large number of exhibits at the National Football Museum.

The PUMA ORBITA ball, first used during the West Bromwich Albion v Southampton game in February, is being displayed at England’s largest museum dedicated to football, situated right opposite Victoria Station, from today (April 25).

Unveiled earlier this year to coincide with LGBTQ+ History Month, the football helped Southampton winger Ryan Fraser score the opening goal in their Sky Bet Championship match at The Hawthorns on February 16. The team eventually claimed a 2-0 win over West Brom on the night.

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The ball was used by all 72 Clubs across Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two matches between February 16 to 24 - and helped score 214 goals in total. For every goal scored, PUMA committed to donating towards funds supporting LGBTQ+ fans and their projects to raise awareness about inclusion in football. £16,050 was donated as a result of the week-long campaign.

David McArdle, EFL Director of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, said: “The EFL was very proud to collaborate with PUMA on this historic first for English football joining with our clubs, partners, and LGBTQ+ communities to celebrate LGBT History Month with a symbol of representation and inclusion.

“We are therefore delighted to be donating this ball to the National Football Museum so that the ball can continue to inspire people off the pitch.”

The ball will sit alongside a number of other LGBTQ+ and equality items from various points in football’s legacy, including the ‘One Love’ armband worn