The Belgian captain – presumably Eden Hazard – will wear a rainbow bracelet on Sunday in the 1/8th final match in Seville. The Belgian Football Association wants to send a strong signal that there is no place for discrimination in football.
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The initiative comes after the European football union UEFA banned the city of Munich from lighting up the Allianz Arena in rainbow colors for Germany’s match against Hungary. In Hungary, a controversial law is in the works that will stop minors “exposing themselves to homosexuality”. The bracelet was already on the table on Wednesday where Hans Vanaken and Thomas Meunier gave press conferences.
The Red Devils also support the protest against the Hungarian position against homosexuality. The rainbow flag was already raised at the base camp in Tubize. The Ghelamco Arena in Ghent also lit up in the rainbow colours.
But the biggest protest is taking place in Germany. The city council of the city of Munich, where the match between Germany and Hungary is played, has asked UEFA for permission to illuminate the Allianz Arena in the colors of the rainbow. This as a protest against recent Hungarian laws that put the rights of the gay community under considerable pressure. However, the European Football Union issued a negative advice, arguing that doing so would make a political statement. The Red Devils do not agree and expressed their support for the German action.
The decision of the European football federation is not well received. In Munich itself, they want to illuminate the most important buildings with the colors of the rainbow and ten thousand rainbow flags will be distributed to the fans at the stadium. Eight German cities have already announced that they will light up their local club’s stadium in the rainbow colours: Cologne, Frankfurt, Berlin, Wolfsburg, Augsburg, Hanover, Dresden and Düsseldorf. In addition, 38 German clubs will take action in the fight against homosexuality. German captain Manuel Neuer will play against the Hungarians, as in previous matches, with a captain’s armband in the rainbow colors.
Hungarian President Victor Orban would normally attend the match but has since announced that he will not travel to Germany. The Hungarian authorities have already said they regret the German démarches because they do not want to get involved in politics and sport.
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German national coach Jogi Löw is happy with the actions. “It would have given me great pleasure if the Munich stadium had been decorated in the colors of the rainbow,” said Löw. “But I think it’s important that we symbolically show that we respect these values.”
Player Mats Hummels also supports the ‘protest’. “I am pleased that we are sending this message to the whole world,” he defends the German initiative.
Dieter Reiter, mayor of Munich, denounces UEFA’s position. “It is shameful that UEFA forbids us to show respect and solidarity with the LGBT community. I am equally disappointed that the German Football Association does not feel empowered to exert influence in this file.”
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The discussion is also alive outside Germany. In our own country, the stadium of AA Gent will already be lit in the colors of the rainbow and the Belgian football association KBVB is also not happy about the ban by UEFA. “This is at odds with everything that UEFA is propagating,” said spokesman Stefan Van Loock to colleagues from the VRT. The Red Devils would also take action against the UEFA decision. VRT anchor Karl Vannieuwkerke also criticized the European Football Association’s approach last night. “How stupid can you be, UEFA?”
Danish national coach Kasper Hjulmand went one step further. “The rainbow colors are a tribute to diversity and clarify that everyone is equal. That has nothing to do with politics.” Antoine Griezmann, player of France, tweeted a photo of the Allianz Arena in the rainbow colors and with a clenched fist.
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