EURO 2021
Munich in colour: How local fans reacted to the Uefa ban
In front of Munich’s Allianz Arena, many fans showed up with rainbow flags despite the Uefa ban
© DPA
Before the group final between Germany and Hungary, Uefa’s ban on lighting the arena in rainbow colours was the defining issue. This is how the fans reacted in front of and in the stadium.
Following Uefa’s ban on lighting the Munich Allianz Arena in rainbow colours, other German stadium operators have sent a clear signal of tolerance and equality. During the European Championship match of the German national football team against Hungary, the football arenas in Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne, Wolfsburg and Augsburg lit up. Local fans have also reacted to the ban. On the other hand, the tribune of the Hungarians seemed rather dreary.
Gay community organized protest
As a protest, the gay community had distributed rainbow flags to the fans in front of the stadium. Under the motto “Don’t kick LGBTIQ*-rights”, the organizers of CSD Deutschland e.V., the umbrella organization of the German Christopher Street Days, and the CSD Munich had planned to provide a “colorful, rainbow – colored backdrop” in Munich – “in front of the stadium and in the stadium”, as it was said in a press release in advance.
“If all the fans play along, we can hope for 11,000 rainbow flags and a rainbow – coloured captain’s armband at the game against Hungary, which will send a clear signal against homophobia and trans*hostility in sport and for respect for human rights in Europe,” the organisers continued. In addition, 4,500 stickers with “#dontkickLGBTIQrights”imprint were distributed.
German fans profess flag
The actions seemed to be at least partially successful. In front of the stadium, many fans dressed in colorful clothes. Even Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder was photographed in advance in the arena with rainbow mouthguards-even though the CSU and AfD were against lighting up the state parliament in rainbow colors. Munich Central Station, on the other hand, welcomed its guests from Hungary with colorful flags.
A blog for far-right fan groups has promised stickers and T-shirts as a reward for the robbery of rainbow flags in Munich if they are sent to them. The police will accompany the European Championship game this time with 1500 additional officers. This was confirmed by the presidential spokesman to the “Bayerischer Rundfunk”.
Many Hungarian fans dressed in black
With the Hungarian fans it looked rather dreary in the stands. Most came in red Hungary jerseys and waved their own national flag. In part, however, there were also black-clad hooligans of the “Carpathian Brigade” in the ranks.
They are associated with the far-right movement and loudly supported the national team of Hungary in the past games. They often sit directly behind the goal and were also observed at this game, as they mobbed Manuel Neuer. After the protests, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán decided against traveling to Germany for the game.
But also on the German ranks it was far from just colorful. In the arena itself, the rainbow flags mingled with the German national colors, which rather compensated for the colorful spectacle. The most striking was a speedster who ran across the lawn with a Pride flag at the very beginning of the game.
Source: “Bayerischer Rundfunk”, Twitter
