UEFA reject request to light up Munich stadium in rainbow colours at Euros

A request to illuminate the Allianz Arena in rainbow colours for Germany’s final Euro 2020 group stage match against Hungary has been turned down by UEFA.

Munich mayor Dieter Reiter had said he wanted to light up the city’s stadium in the colours on Wednesday in protest against a new law in Hungary.

The legislation bans gay people from appearing in school educational materials or programmes for under-18s.

And it outlaws content in schools deemed to promote homosexuality and gender change.

UEFA turned down Mr Reiter’s request because it believes the gesture has a political context.

European football’s governing body has instead proposed alternative dates for the stadium, home to Bayern Munich, to be lit up in rainbow colours.

It suggested either 28 June – the Christopher Street Liberation Day – or 3-9 July which is the Christopher Street Day week in Munich. The events are held in memory of protests by gay people in New York in 1969.

“Racism, homophobia, sexism, and all forms of discrimination are a stain on our societies – and represent one of the biggest problems faced by the game today,” a UEFA statement said.

“Discriminatory behaviour has marred both matches themselves and, outside the stadiums, the online discourse around the sport we love.

“However, UEFA, through its statutes, is a politically and religiously neutral organisation. Given the political context of this specific request – a message aiming at a decision taken by the Hungarian national parliament – UEFA must decline this request.”

The German Football Association (DFB) had said on Monday it would also prefer any protest or gesture to be held on a date other than Wednesday.

German Europe minister Michael Roth told reporters ahead of a meeting with European Union counterparts in Luxembourg on Tuesday that Hungary’s new law clearly violates EU values.

Meanwhile, UEFA is investigating potential discriminatory incidents that occurred during Hungary’s first two Euro 2020 games at the Puskas Arena.

Anti-discriminatory group Fare sent a report highlighting an alleged homophobic banner in the stands during the 3-0 defeat by Portugal in Budapest on 15 June.

Racist chants were also reportedly heard during Hungary’s 1-1 draw with France on 19 June.

During Germany’s first two Group F games, goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer wore a rainbow armband to show his support for the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month.

UEFA investigated whether the move could be interpreted as political and found Neuer should not face disciplinary action as he was “promoting a good cause”.

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