UEFA on Wednesday defended its decision not to allow the Allianz Arena to display the rainbow flag for the Euro 2020 clash between Hungary & Germany.
Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter wrote to UEFA asking for permission to light the stadium in Munich with rainbow colors after Germany captain Manuel Neuer played against France to show the DFB's support for the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month. wore a rainbow armband.
The application clarified that the city wanted to oppose a law passed by Hungarian lawmakers last week that prohibits the sharing of any material depicting homosexuality or sexual reparations with minors. The law has been condemned as anti-LGBT discrimination by human rights groups, who say it links homosexuality to pedophilia.
UEFA denied the request, stating that the rainbow symbol was not the reason for the decision but rather Hungary's presence in the game.
A statement on Wednesday read: "UEFA is proud to wear the colors of the rainbow. It is a symbol that embodies our core values, promoting everything we believe in – a more just & egalitarian society Tolerant to all, regardless of background, belief or gender.
"Some have interpreted UEFA's decision to turn down Munich City's request to light up the Munich Stadium in rainbow colors for the Euro 2020 match as 'political'.
"On the contrary, the request itself was political, linked to the presence of the Hungarian football team at the stadium for this evening's match with Germany.
"For UEFA, the rainbow is not a political symbol, but a sign of our steadfast commitment to a more diverse & inclusive society."
However, rainbow flags overtook German flags when fans arrived at Munich Stadium on Wednesday. Volunteers from groups including Amnesty International, CSD Germany & SAG Munich distributed rainbow flags at the exit of the Frohtmanning subway station. Other protesters came simply to protest UEFA's decision.
Fans have started to arrive at the Allianz Arena 🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/H06nSwV6Hs
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 23, 2021
The Germany FA also tweeted a message of support before the match, with Neuer once again wearing a rainbow armband. Before kick-off, a fan waving the rainbow flag was removed from the pitch as the Hungarian national anthem was played.
UEFA's decision was criticized by several Bundesliga clubs as well as footballers Antoine Griezmann, Gerard Pique, Katie McCabe & Pernil Harder.
Belgium confirmed that the captain will wear rainbow colors on his armband in the Euro 2020 knockout clash on Sunday & the country's football union (KBVB) is considering more ways to show solidarity with the LGBTQ+ movement.
"We strongly disagree with UEFA's decision & are probably going to play with the Rainbow Band on Sunday," spokesman Stephen van Lock said on Wednesday.
"UEFA should have allowed the colors of the rainbow to be displayed in German stadiums," he said.
“If they themselves say they are for integration, equality & transparency, that would be the proper way to demonstrate it.
"We are looking at how we can display the colors of the rainbow in our match on Sunday, but our captain will have it on his armband."
A large banner in the colors of the rainbow with the badge of the Belgian Association was hoisted prominently at the entrance of the team's training camp in Tubis, about 25 km south of Brussels, on Wednesday.
"We unfortunately won't get to see any stadiums in the colors of the rainbow today, so a flag at our training complex is the least we could do to symbolically show that we are going to do whatever UEFA has decided. Don't agree," Van Lock said.
UEFA proposed alternate dates between June 28 in Munich or July 3–9, around the Christopher Street Day events organized to commemorate the 1969 homosexual uprising in New York.
A top EU official also said they could find "no reasonable excuse" for UEFA to reject host city Munich's plans to display rainbow colours.
"Yes, I find it very difficult to understand what UEFA is trying to do by going against this initiative of the Munich City Council," European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas said during a news conference ahead of Wednesday's match. "Frankly, I can't find any reasonable excuse for this."
He continued: "They support all good causes. And all of a sudden, they make it an issue."
In a statement on Wednesday, the EU's chief executive vowed to take any action necessary to thwart the new law, which must be endorsed by Hungary's president in order to take effect.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: "The Hungarian bill is a matter of shame."
Several other stadiums in Germany that are unaffiliated with the Euro 2020 tournament said they would light up their venues in rainbow colors.