Euro 2020 - UEFA turns down Germany rainbow lights request ahead of final Group F game against Hungary

ByAlexander Netherton

Updated 22/06/2021 at 10:07 GMT

Germany and Hungary's game on Wednesday night at the European Championships could be a controversial one as UEFA has turned down a request for Germany to illuminate the Allianz Arena in rainbow colours in response to legislation from the Hungarian government that targets support for homosexuality and gender change.

UEFA have rejected a request from Germany to display rainbow lights ahead of their Euro 2020 game with Hungary.

Germany are in second place in Group F and a win against Hungary would make sure of a top-two finish in their group.

Hungary need a win against Portugal to stand a chance of moving forward to the next round, but the match is a talking point for more than just football.

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Germany’s captain Manuel Neuer was on the cusp of being investigated by UEFA for the political implications or otherwise of a rainbow armband worn in his past three appearances for the national team. The armband was a support of LGBT+ rights, and was seen in the context both of Pride Month, and the chances of Hungary being awarded more games in the knockout stages of Euro 2020.

Hungary recently passed legislation that would ban what politicians interpret as promotion of homosexuality and gender change. The country, led by Victor Orban, is regarded as less democratic than many of its EU peers and is under pressure for its human rights track record.

Germany had asked to display rainbow lights ahead of their game on Wednesday, a request UEFA have turned down, saying:

Given the political context of this specific request – a message aiming at a decision taken by the Hungarian national parliament – UEFA must decline this request.

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