Uefa has backtracked on its stance that rainbow flags are a political symbol and insists it “would very much welcome” such LGBT+ symbools at Netherlands’ match against Czech Republic.
Ahead of the two nations playing in the last 16 of Euro 2020, Dutch publication NOS reported that fans would not be allowed to wear rainbow colours or wave flags in either the Ferenc Puskas Stadium or the fan park in Budapest.
A Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) spokesperson had said that while “the rules of Uefa apply in the fan zone and in the stadium… that does not mean that the KNVB supports this decision”. Georginio Wijnaldum also confirmed he would wear a “One Love” captain’s armband during the match.
In the group stage match between Germany and Hungary, European football’s governing body had prevented the Allianz Arena being lit up in rainbow colours as a gesture against anti-LGBT+ legislation being introduced by the Hungarian government. Many German fans subsequently displayed rainbow memorabilia at the match and a number of cities joined the protest with light displays at their stadia.
However, with Netherlands and Czech Republic fans gathering in Hungary ahead of their knockout tie, Uefa said it had spoken to the Hungarian Football Federation and decreed that “rainbow-coloured symbols are not political”.
“In line with Uefa’s Equal Game campaign which aims at fighting against any type of discrimination, including against the LGBTQI+ community, such flags will be allowed into the stadium,” a statement said.
“Contrary [to] some reports in Dutch media, Uefa would like to clarify that it has not banned any rainbow-coloured symbols from the fan zone in Budapest and that the fan zone is under the responsibility of the local authorities. Uefa, on the contrary, would very much welcome any such symbol into the fan zone.”
Uefa, which does not allow political symbols to be worn during matches under its jurisdiction, has faced criticism for its handling of LGBT+ issues at this summer’s tournament. The body had also launched an investigation into Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, which was then dropped, for wearing a rainbow armband.
The Netherlands match is the final Euros game which will be held in Budapest.
More from i on Euro 2020
- England aren’t ‘rubbish’ and Southgate isn’t a ‘fraud’ – we just need a bit of patience
- What the Premier League could learn from Euro 2020’s controversy-free referees
- The football nomad who became a hero for his role in saving Eriksen’s life
- How Ronaldo’s Coca-Cola stunt could change the face of football sponsorship
- How to watch every Euro 2020 match on TV and online in the UK
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3hepA1I
Post a Comment