The Allianz Arena may not show the rainbow colors on Wednesday evening at the European Championship match between Germany and Hungary, UEFA has determined on Tuesday morning. Dieter Reiter, mayor of Munich, wanted to show in this way that his city stands for diversity and tolerance, but the European Football Association does not give permission to change the colors of the Bayern Munich stadium.
Reiter’s proposal came in response to the controversial law passed last week, initiated by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s Fidesz party. This law prohibits the promotion of homosexuality in the country. This means that in places where minors are present, there should be no references to gay people and transgender people. Reiter’s plans fell very badly with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto.
“It is very harmful and even dangerous to mix sports and politics,” the outraged minister said in clear terms. “That has happened in history and Germany knows all about it. Everyone understands that this is a reaction to the law voted on in Hungary?” However, Reiter’s proposal, described by himself as ‘an important sign of tolerance and equality’, has now been brushed aside by UEFA.
“Uefa is a politically and religiously neutral organization according to its statutes. In light of the political context of this particular initiative, a message following a decision of the Hungarian parliament, UEFA must reject this request,” it reads. in a statement issued Tuesday. The European Football Association has now proposed that Munich should cover the Allianz Arena in the rainbow colors during an event on another date.
During the European Championship match between Portugal and Germany (2-4), Manuel Neuer wore a rainbow captain’s armband, which was considered a political statement by UEFA. UEFA saw the Neuer captain’s armband, which can be seen as a statement of support for the LGBTI community, as a political statement, which started an investigation against the DFB and the German Football Association had to fear a fine. “It is true that the captain’s armband has been checked,” said a DFB spokesman. “We will discuss this with UEFA. The rules require you to wear the official UEFA captain’s armbands. But June is also pride month, to which the DFB contributes in various ways. The Neuer captaincy is a collective message from the team for greater diversity, openness and tolerance.” However, UEFA has suspended an investigation into Neuer and the DFB.
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