UEFA is “proud” to wear the colors of the rainbow after the controversy in the European Championship

UEFA is “proud” to wear the colors of the rainbow after the controversy in the European Championship
UEFA

UEFA said it was “proud to wear the colors of the rainbow, a symbol that promotes everything it believes in” and that “it is not a political symbol”, but a sign of its “firm commitment to a society more diverse and inclusive “.

“It is a symbol that promotes everything we believe in: a more just and egalitarian society, tolerant of everyone, regardless of their origin, belief or gender,” he said on Wednesday.

In a statement, he noted that “some have interpreted as” political “their decision to” reject the request of the city of Munich to illuminate the stadium in Munich with the colors of the rainbow for to a EURO 2020 match “.

“On the other hand, the petition itself was political, linked to the presence of the Hungarian national football team at the stadium for tonight’s match against Germany, “he said.

For UEFA, “the rainbow is not a political symbol”, but a sign of its “firm commitment to a more diverse and inclusive society”.

On Tuesday, UEFA rejected the request of the mayor of Munich, Dieter Reiter, to illuminate the Allianz Arena stadium today with the colors of the rainbow in the match of the third day of the group stage between Germany and Hungary and proposed to do so on other dates.

The Munich City Council’s request, according to the letter it sent to UEFA, was “motivated by a political decision taken by the Hungarian parliament”, which passed regulations that include bans such as talk about homosexuality in school curricula and has been described as “homophobic” by the progressive opposition and by international NGOs.

UEFA responded that according to its statutes “it is a politically and religiously neutral organization” and that “given the political context of this specific request – a message addressed to a decision taken by the Hungarian national parliament” it should reject the sun. · Licitud.

Despite this, he proposed “in the city of Munich to illuminate the stadium with the colors of the rainbow on June 28, the Liberation Day of Christopher Street, or between 3 and 9 July, which is the week of Christopher Street Day in Munich (celebration of gay pride day) “.

The organization recalled that it has been joining forces for years with European clubs, national teams and their players, launching campaigns and a large number of activities throughout Europe to promote the ethics that football it must be open to everyone.

He also showed his firm determination to play his part in positive change, believing that “discrimination can only be fought in close collaboration with others.”

“As the governing body of European football, UEFA recognizes that it has an obligation to unite and coordinate the efforts of fans and institutions across Europe, because it is everyone’s responsibility to eliminate discrimination in football,” he insisted.

Among his initiatives in this regard he recalled the recent launch of the campaign “Sign for an Equal Game“,” which encourages fans, players, clubs, national federations and other parties involved in football to join the fight against discrimination. ”