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Uefa has rejected Munich city council’s application to illuminate its stadium in rainbow colours ahead of the pair’s final group stage game on Wednesday. Mayor Dieter Reiter made clear that the display was a protest against a law passed by Hungarian politicians last week banning “the display and promotion of homosexuality” among under-18s. European football’s governing body said it understood the intentions behind the proposal but “must decline this request” because of its political context.
It added: “Discrimination can only be fought in close collaboration with others.”
Uefa’s rejection prompted a furious response from a number of senior European Commission officials.
Its vice-president Vera Jourova told Politico: “The rainbow is not offensive.
“If anyone has a problem with it, this speaks more about them, rather than about people who want to light up the stadium with it.
“We believe in a Europe which embraces behind diversity, not one which hides it.”
German captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer also became the subject of a probe by Uefa for wearing a rainbow armband in support of LGBT+ rights.
Commission executive vice-president Frans Timmermans expressed his support for the player.
Mr Timmermans said: “If you want to sum up Uefa’s campaigns ‘Respect’ and ‘Equal game’ using colours rather than words, nothing would serve better than the rainbow flag.
“Bravo Manu Neuer.”
Uefa have since dropped their investigation and announced the German skipper will not face disciplinary action.
The governing body said he was “promoting a good cause”, after wearing the rainbow armband in matches against France and Germany.
A spokesperson said: “UEFA looked into the armband worn by the player in question and, considering that it was promoting a good cause, ie diversity, the team will not face disciplinary proceedings.”
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Speaking in Luxembourg, he told reporters: “The European Union is not primarily a single market or a currency union. We are a community of values, these values bind us all.
“There should be absolutely no doubt that minorities, sexual minorities too, must be treated respectfully.”
The Hungarian government has called for rainbow displays to be scrapped on match days during the European Championships.
“It’s extremely harmful and dangerous to mix sports and politics,” foreign minister Peter Szijjarto said.
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