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Men’s football EU can’t understand why Allianz Arena can’t be lit up

A TOP European Union official said he couldn’t find “any reasonable excuse” for Uefa to reject host city Munich’s plans to display rainbow colours during today’s match between Germany and Hungary at the European Championship.

Uefa said it understood the city’s intention to send a message to promote diversity and inclusion but stressed that it was “a politically and religiously neutral organisation” after it denied the application to have the stadium illuminated in support of LGBT rights.

“Yes, I find it very difficult to understand what Uefa is trying to do by going against this initiative of the Munich city council,” European Commission vice-president Margaritis Schinas said during a news conference today. “Frankly, I do not find any reasonable excuse for that.”

Schinas said he was even more surprised by the decision since the governing body of European football has previously supported campaigns for inclusion and against racism.

“They supported all the good causes. And all of a sudden, they make an issue out of this,” he said.

Uefa, which has the final say as tournament organiser, previously said it had to decline the request from Munich because of its political context — “a message aiming at a decision taken by the Hungarian national parliament.”

“Uefa respects the rainbow,” the governing body of football in Europe said in a statement today.

“It is a symbol that embodies our core values, promoting everything that we believe in — a more just and egalitarian society, tolerant of everyone, regardless of their background, belief or gender,” Uefa said.

Uefa insisted that the decision to turn down the request was misinterpreted by those who perceived it as a political statement.

“On the contrary, the request itself was political, linked to the Hungarian football team’s presence in the stadium for this evening’s match with Germany,” it said. “For Uefa, the rainbow is not a political symbol, but a sign of our firm commitment to a more diverse and inclusive society.”

Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter’s application to Uefa made clear the city wanted to protest against a law passed by Hungarian lawmakers last week that prohibits sharing with minors any content portraying homosexuality or sex reassignment. The law has been denounced as anti-LGBT discrimination by human rights groups, who say it links homosexuality with paedophilia.

In a statement today, the EU’s chief executive vowed to take any action necessary to thwart the new law, which must be endorsed by Hungary’s president to take effect.

“This Hungarian Bill is a shame,” European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said.

Boris Johnson was asked whether the British government stood with Germany and France in condemning Uefa for declining a request to illuminate the Munich Euro 2020 stadium in rainbow colours.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Well, I mean, this is a government that’s immensely proud to lead a country that is progressive and liberal when it comes to LGBT equality. Clearly Uefa have made a decision. But this government is proud of its record on LGBT equality.”

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