Didn’t last long, did it?
Uefa have called off their investigation into Manuel Neuer’s decision to wear a rainbow armband at Euro 2020, the German FA has confirmed.
June is Pride Month and Neuer has worn the armband in both of Germany’s games at the tournament as a show of support of the LGBTQ+ community. He also wore it during the pre-tournament warmup game against Latvia.
It was widely reported on Sunday that Neuer and the German FA (DFB) were to be investigated over the armband, which the governing body deemed as being a “political” statement.
The news drew widespread criticism, and a statement from the DFB has now confirmed that the review of the armband has been halted by Uefa, who have since decided it is “a team symbol for diversity”.
“Uefa have today shared with the DFB that they have stopped the review of the rainbow captain’s armband worn by Manuel Neuer,” the DFB’s statement explained.
“In a letter, the armband has been assessed as a team symbol for diversity and thus for a ‘good cause.'”
UEFA have today shared with the DFB that they have stopped the review of the rainbow captain's armband worn by @Manuel_Neuer.
In a letter, the armband has been assessed as a team symbol for diversity and thus for a 'good cause.' #EURO2020 #GER pic.twitter.com/HFiAAQ6F5D
— germanfootball_dfb (@DFB_Team_EN) June 20, 2021
Munich’s Allianz Arena, where Germany will play their final group game against Hungary later this week, is due to light up in rainbow colours.
