Photographs have emerged of an LGBT gay-pride flag being taken from Danish supporters during their Euro 2020 clash with the Czech Republic held in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku. The incident has led to further accusations that football governing body UEFA opposes displays of LGBT rights in football.
The images from Azerbaijan show stewards in the Baku Olympic Stadium approaching the fans and then confiscating the rainbow flag.
This is the second time such an incident has occurred, the first being when Netherlands fans had a rainbow flag taken from them during their match in Budapest.
Azerbaijan has a poor human-rights record towards LGBT people and Hungary is increasingly clamping down on same-sex couples.
Volkswagen, a sponsor of the competition, has also been told it cannot use rainbow-coloured advertising banners in the St. Petersburg stadium in Russia or in Budapest.
UEFA said in a statement:
"UEFA fully supports the display of such messages of tolerance and respect for diversity, which were already displayed in all stadiums at all round of 16 matches and will be displayed by UEFA's partner Volkswagen at the quarter-final matches in Munich and Rome. UEFA requires its sponsors to ensure that their artwork is compliant with local legislation and we understand that this is not the case in Baku and St Petersburg. UEFA will however continue to highlight its fight against all types of discrimination through its Equal Game campaign across all stadiums in all remaining matches. All other sponsors decided not to use rainbow artwork any longer in the tournament, with pride month having come to an end."
There was also anger after the Munich stadium, which was hosting the Germany – Hungary match earlier in the tournament, was stopped from being lit up in rainbow colours, with UEFA stating that there should be no 'political statements' during the competition.
European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas spoke out against this decision by UEFA, saying:
"Frankly, I do not find any reasonable excuse for that. They supported all the good causes. And all of a sudden, they make an issue out of this."
[h/t: Daily Mail]
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