The body governing football in Europe (UEFA) has defended its decision to decline a request to illuminate the Munich Euro 2020 stadium in LGBT+ rainbow colours during Wednesday night’s soccer clash between Germany and Hungary.
UEFA in a statement issued today stated that the request made by the Munich mayor Dieter Reiter was rejected because it was political, and made in response to legislation in Hungary banning the display and promotion of homosexuality to under-18s.
The European football governing body’s Twitter avatar was altered to rainbow colours, as it released a statement on Wednesday which reads: “Today, UEFA is proud to wear the colours of the rainbow.
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“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.
“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’. 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.
“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 concluded.
Reiter had earlier described UEFA’s decision to decline the request as “shameful” on Tuesday and said other city landmarks would display rainbow colours instead.
 has defended its decision to decline a request to illuminate the Munich Euro 2020 stadium in LGBT+ rainbow colours during Wednesday night’s soccer clash between Germany and Hungary.){kind=link}