Uefa have moved quickly to deny reports in the Dutch media
Uefa has denied that it has banned rainbow symbols at fan zones and in the Puskas Arena in Budapest ahead of the Euro 2020 last-16 clash between the Netherlands and Czech Republic.
Several Dutch outlets claimed supporters in the Hungarian capital had had rainbow flags confiscated by security staff, and that they were not permitted in the stadium or in the city’s fan zones. Speaking to NOS, a spokesperson from the Dutch FA (KNVB) said that Uefa had made the rules.
Uefa, who have drawn plenty of criticism in the last week for denying Munich’s request to light the Allianz Arena in rainbow colours for Germany’s game with Hungary, moved quickly to clarify the situation.
“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, which is under the responsibility of the local authorities,” a statement posted on Twitter said.
“Uefa very much welcome any such symbol into the fan zone.”
Continuing in a second tweet, they added: “Uefa today informed the Hungarian Football Federation that rainbow-coloured symbols are not political and in line with Uefa’s #EqualGame campaign, which fights against all discrimination, including the LGBTQI+ community, such flags will be allowed into the stadium.”
UEFA today informed the Hungarian Football Federation that rainbow-coloured symbols are not political and in line with UEFA’s #EqualGame campaign, which fights against all discrimination, including against the LGBTQI+ community, such flags will be allowed into the stadium.
— UEFA (@UEFA) June 27, 2021
Munich mayor, Dieter Reiter, had planned the Allianz Arena gesture as a show of solidarity after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government passed a law banning LBGTQ+ content in schools or in TV shows for under-18s.
The decision to block that – and to potentially investigate Manuel Neuer and the German FA over the goalkeeper’s decision to wear a rainbow captain’s armband throughout Euro 2020 – drew fierce criticism.
