- Bundesliga clubs will illuminate their stadiums with rainbow lights when Germany plays Hungary Wednesday.
- Germany had planned to light up the Allianz Arena for the match, but was banned from doing so by UEFA.
- Hungary recently passed a law prohibiting the sharing any content portraying homosexuality with minors.
Multiple German
The Mayor of Munich, Dieter Reiter, sent a formal request to UEFA for the Allianz Arena to be lit with rainbow colours for Wednesday's game against Hungary.
Last week, Hungary passed a new law that prohibits sharing any content portraying homosexuality or sex reassignment with people under 18. Reiter had wanted to protest the law with the lights show.
UEFA, however, rejected the application, saying the move would be too political.
"Racism, homophobia, sexism and all forms of discrimination are a stain on our societies - and represent one of the biggest problems faced by the game today," said a statement from the organization on Tuesday.
"Discriminatory behavior has marred both matches themselves and, outside the stadiums, the online discourse around the sport we love," the statement said.
"However, UEFA, though its statues, is a politically and religiously neutral organisation. 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."
Shortly after Reiter's request was denied, Bundesliga clubs Werder Bremen, FC Cologne, Wolfsburg, Augsburg, Schalke, and Hertha Berlin announced they will light up their stadiums in rainbow colors during the match instead.
"A signal for diversity," said FC Cologne. "During the [Germany] game against Hungary on Wednesday evening, the RheinEnergieSTADION pylons will light up in rainbow colours."
-1. FC Cologne (@fckoeln_en) June 22, 2021
Schalke said in a tweet: "It isn't about provocation. It's about doing the right thing. [Schalke] stands for diversity and tolerance."
Hertha Berlin simply tweeted the time of Wednesday's match and a video of its already illuminated stadium.
-Hertha Berlin (@HerthaBSC_EN) June 22, 2021
Herbert Hainer, the president of Bayern Munich, which plays its home games at the Allianz Arena, also released a statement saying he was disappointed with UEFA's decision.
"We would have liked it if the Allianz Arena could have been lit up in rainbow colours on Wednesday," he said.
"Open-mindedness and tolerance are fundamental values that our society and FC Bayern stand for. That's why FC Bayern has lit up its stadium in the colours of diversity, for example on Christopher Street Day, for several years."