An activist with a rainbow flag ran onto the field and held it up in front of the teams during the Hungarian national anthem before the European Championship game against Germany.
The person was quickly tackled by stewards and pinned to the ground, before being led away to cheers and applause.
Many German fans were carrying small rainbow flags that were distributed by activists before the game.
Buildup to the match has been overshadowed by controversy following UEFA’s decision to halt plans for rainbow-coloured lights to illuminate the Munich’s Allianz Arena during the game.
The lights were suggested by Munich’s mayor, Dieter Reiter, who has condemned the decision as “shameful.”
UEFA had been accused of being political over their decision not to allow the lights but the organisation rejected this – suggesting the political intent was on the part of the mayor, not the football association.
Reiter had hoped the colourful display would demonstrate support for LGBTQ+ groups in Hungary following the recent introduction of laws, by Viktor Orbán’s government, which bans gay people from appearing in school material or TV programmes aimed at people under 18.
Orbán’signed the bill into law on Wednesday despite harsh European criticism.
Despite the backlash, UEFA has defended its decision. In a statement, it said: “Today, UEFA is proud to wear the colours of the rainbow. 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.”
Following claims the football body was making a political decision, UEFA turned the accusations on the campaigners.
“Some people have interpreted UEFA’s decision to turn down the city of Munich’s request to illuminate the Munich stadium in rainbow colours for a EURO 2020 match as ‘political’,” a spokesperson said.
“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.”
Campaigners hit back at UEFA stance
There have been calls by LGBTQ+ groups for a boycott of the ongoing Euro 2020 tournament.
Campaign and support groups representing LGBTQ+ people are angry at what they see as UEFA’s failure to show a positive example in the fight against discrimination. At least one has called for a boycott of the tournament.
“UEFA’s decision to ban the display of rainbow colours on the facade of the Allianz arena in Munich sends a dangerous signal to the queer community around Europe”, said Markus Haselbeck, from the Munich-based youth organisation, ‘diversity München’.
“While depicting themselves as open and fighting for equality through their EqualGame initiative, UEFA seemingly only adopts this attitude toward certain groups of people and within only a few countries throughout Europe, thereby excluding queer people and young queer people in particular from an equal treatment within their country and in football.”
Haselbeck suggested UEFA was failing in its responsibility to be more inclusive.
“Their whole idea of ‘EqualGame’ thereby is turned upside down, providing an equal game only for a lucky few outside of countries like Hungary or Poland and the many other countries that deny LGBTIAQ* people their rights,” he said.
Hugh Torrance, Co-President of the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF), told Euronews that the group had sent a letter to UEFA denouncing the hypocrisy behind the decision.
“We felt it was important to remind UEFA of their commitments via their own flagship #EqualGame campaign, and to be clear that we can’t pick and choose to have some actions of solidarity widely accepted whilst claiming others as political, or indeed to support equality and human rights for some minority groups and not others,” Torrance said in a written statement to Euronews.
“We would have liked to see UEFA accept their misstep and reverse their decision with respect to the lighting of the Allianz Arena in Munich,” he added.
However, UEFA reiterated that it embraced the principles of the rainbow flag but avoided its politicisation. “For UEFA, the rainbow is not a political symbol, but a sign of our firm commitment to a more diverse and inclusive society,” the statement said.
Several German media outlets, including taz and Bild, have displayed rainbow flags on their front pages, social media profiles or on-screen logos ahead of the match.
Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán announced that he would not attend his country’s match with Germany amid the focus being placed on LGBTQ+ rights in his country. But some players have announced their intention to continue the campaign; including Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer who say he will play with an armband in the same colours.
Groups outside Germany have also rallied support against UEFA’s decision. Evelyne Paradis, Executive Director of ILGA-Europe, said it was important for activist not to be deterred by the move.
Paradis told Euronews: “Illuminating a football stadium in the rainbow colours is only helpful for the LGBTI people living in Hungary (the first EU country to introduce Russian-style ‘anti-propaganda’ legislation) if it serves to mobilise political support for action that actually impacts positively on people’s lives.”
No distractions
Paradis also called on other countries to be more determined in their condemnation of Orban’s hardline policies.
“Although we regret the UEFA’s decision, we cannot let the decision distract attention from where it needs to go, i.e. making sure that EU governments back up European Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen in making sure the Orban government no longer acts in full impunity.”
Haselbeck believes even stronger measures are called for: “The strongest message might be a boycott of the ongoing European championship, since such actions will actively influence UEFA’s income and take away the power they hold,” he said.
“If people continue taking part in the ongoing championship and programmes UEFA offers, they will continue their anti-political and anti-LGBTIAQ* ways while rainbow-washing their name.”
Haselbeck acknowledged that the players may also suffer from such a boycott but suggested it may be the only way to raise awareness of the seriousness of Orban’s policies.
“Banning the display and promotion of our community is not only an attack on queer rights but on human rights!,” he said.
Earlier von der Leyen had said the EU would aim to thwart Hungary’s new law which prohibits sharing content on homosexuality or sex reassignment to people under 18 in school sex education programmes, films or advertisements. The Hungarian government said it was meant to protect children.
“This Hungarian bill is a shame,” von der Leyen said. “This bill clearly discriminates against people based on their sexual orientation. It goes against the fundamental values of the European Union: human dignity, equality and respect for human rights.”
Earlier this month, EU lawmakers threatened to sue the commission if it fails to act against countries like Hungary if they flout democratic standards.
UEFA decision should be ‘respected,’ says German government
Germany’s government said on Wednesday that the decision by UEFA not to allow the stadium in Munich to be illuminated should be “respected.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that the vast majority of people in Germany reject discrimination and intolerance,” said government spokesman Steffen Seibert.
He noted the Hungarian national team had nothing to do with the controversial law. “We should look forward to a great game and receive the Hungarian team … in a friendly, sporting and fair way,” said Seibert.
