Sunday, June 20, 2021 at 8:40 PM• Last update: 20:41

UEFA has suspended an investigation against the German Football Association (DFB). The reason for the investigation was the captain’s armband that Manuel Neuer wore on Saturday evening during the European Championship match between Portugal and Germany (2-4). It had the rainbow colors, which is considered a political statement by UEFA. The DFB communicates that UEFA has come to the conclusion that the captain’s armband as a symbol of diversity serves the ‘good cause’.

Neuer also wore the rainbow captain’s armband in the exhibition game against Latvia (7-1 win) and the opening match at the European Championship with France (0-1 defeat). Earlier this season, the goalkeeper at Bayern Munich also played with a captain’s armband in the rainbow colors, in the league game against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. At the time, this was part of a campaign by Bayern Munich to promote tolerance and diversity. During the same game, the Allianz Arena was illuminated in the rainbow colors, while the colors could also be found inside the stadium.

UEFA sees the Neuer captaincy, which can be seen as a statement of support for the LGBTI community, as a political statement, which has led to an investigation against the DFB and the German Football Association must fear a fine. Christian Rudolph, director at the German interest group for the LGBTI community, mentions it to ntv ‘unacceptable’. “It is a worrying signal. We are in the middle of the pride month and this month’s biggest sporting event is trying to prevent the rainbow colors from being worn? UEFA has to think about who it represents. What should the footballers think of this?”

If it is up to Dieter Reiter, the Allianz Arena will be lit up in the rainbow colors next Wednesday as Germany and Hungary complete their last group match there. The mayor of Munich called this “a visible sign of solidarity towards the LGBTI community in Hungary.” The Süddeutsche Zeitung wrote that it is also the intention that next Wednesday at the city hall of Munich should wave the rainbow flag. Hungary’s parliament passed a new anti-gay law last week that prohibits “promoting” homosexuality and gender reassignment among minors.

At the same time, the Hungarian Football Association must also fear a sanction from UEFA. During the first European Championship match with Portugal (0-3 defeat), a banner reading ‘ANTI-LHBTQ’ was removed from the stadium, leading to an investigation by UEFA. There may have also been discrimination during the match between Hungary and France (1-1) on Saturday evening and UEFA announces that it is investigating this. It is unclear in what form exactly there was discrimination during the duel with France.

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