Uefa rejects Munich’s application for rainbow lighting in the EM arena in the German group game against Hungary. For this, the town hall is now to be decorated with rainbow flags. Many other German cities are moving along.
After the Uefa ban on lighting the Munich EM arena in rainbow colors, at least other German stadium operators want to set a clear signal for tolerance and equality. The football arenas in Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne, Wolfsburg and Augsburg should shine brightly during the European Championship match between the German national soccer team and Hungary this Wednesday (9 p.m.). Other Bundesliga clubs such as FSV Mainz 05, Borussia Dortmund, Borussia Mönchengladbach or VfL Bochum have expressed their solidarity, but cannot take part in the campaign for technical reasons.
“Then the other stadiums in the country just have to show their colors”
“We are happy to take part because we are committed to tolerance and human rights,” said Christoph Meyer, spokesman for Berlin Olympic Stadium GmbH, on Tuesday the “Berliner Zeitung”. According to information from the paper, the Senate should think about whether the Brandenburg Gate could also shine in the rainbow colors.
Called for the action Frankfurt’s unity Board spokesman Axel Hellmann. “If Munich is not allowed on Wednesday, then the other stadiums in the country have to show their colors. Now, colleagues in the league,” he tweeted on Tuesday night and announced: “Deutsche Bank Park will switch to the game against Hungary the rainbow. The Waldstadion remains colorful. ”
Something similar is done in Cologne happen. The decision was made on the initiative of various groups from Cologne’s urban society. “We welcome that very much. Cologne and FC stand for diversity and tolerance,” said Cologne’s managing director Alexander Wehrle: “The developments in Hungary are terrifying – it is all the more important to set an example against it.”
The Bundesliga club FC Augsburg also participate. “We use our stadium lighting again and again to draw attention to important social issues,” said FCA managing director Michael Ströll.
Before the Bremen Weser Stadium rainbow flags were hoisted on Tuesday. In addition, the Bundesliga relegated announced via Twitter: “OF COURSE we will be there too! Full solidarity!” Also in Mönchengladbach appropriate flags are hoisted.
In Dortmund The BVB stadium is not supposed to be dipped in rainbow colors, but the German Football Museum, among other things. Something similar is now also planning Munich: On the day of the match, the town hall is to be decorated with rainbow flags and the wind turbine in the immediate vicinity of the arena is to be illuminated in rainbow colors, announced Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD). The campaign will also be supported by the TV broadcaster ProSieben, which will change its logo accordingly on Wednesday.
The background to the protest is a law that restricts the information rights of young people with regard to homosexuality and transsexuality and which was only approved by the Hungarian parliament last Tuesday.
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
