(CNN) – The governing body of European football, UEFA, rejected a request to illuminate Munich’s Allianz Arena in rainbow colors for Wednesday’s Euro 2020 match between Germany and Hungary.
The request was made on the proposal of the Munich city hall in the wake of an anti-LGBTQ law passed by the Hungarian parliament last week.
The Allianz Arena in Munich is lit up in rainbow colors during the Bundesliga match between Bayern Munich and Hoffenheim on January 30, 2021.
The legislation, which has been widely criticized by human rights groups and opposition parties, prohibits the dissemination of content in schools that is considered to promote homosexuality and gender change.
“Racism, homophobia, sexism and all forms of discrimination are a stain on our societies and represent one of the biggest problems facing football today,” UEFA said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Discriminatory behavior has clouded both the games and, outside the stadiums, the online discourse about the sport we love.
“However, UEFA, in its statutes, is a politically and religiously neutral organization. Given the political context of this specific request, a message pointing to a decision taken by the Hungarian national parliament, UEFA must reject this request.
UEFA added that it has proposed that Munich illuminate the stadium on June 28, which marks Christopher Street Liberation Day, or between July 3 and July 9, which is the week of Christopher Street Day in Munich. .
Christopher Street Liberation Day recognizes the 1969 Stonewall riots and the march in New York City that took place a year later, now considered the first gay pride parade.
In a multi-party proposal put forward by the Munich city council, the idea to illuminate the Allianz Arena with rainbow lights was’ to give an important and visible sign of solidarity towards the LGBTI community in Hungary, those who suffer under the current strict legislation of the homophobic and transphobic Hungarian government. ‘
Wednesday’s games will be the last of the Euro 2020 group stage for both teams.
Germany lost in their debut against France, but beat Portugal 4-2 at the weekend, while Hungary lost to Portugal in their opener before drawing 1-1 with France.
CNN’s Aleks Klosok contributed to this report