Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
indy100
indy100
Sport
Sinead Butler

Thomas Hitzlsperger shares poignant message to UEFA after Pride-coloured stadium is declined

The Allianz stadium in Munich

(Picture: Getty Images)

Thomas Hitzlsperger has shared a poignant message to UEFA after it blocked an application to light up the Euro 2020 stadium in Munich with rainbow colours for the Germany vs Hungary match tomorrow night.

The German director of football tweeted to UEFA: “Dear @EURO2020, don’t be offended by the . Think about those who still get discriminated. They need support. Your support, too!”

Hitzlsperger one of the highest-profile footballers to come out as gay - he revealed the news back in 2014 after he retired.

His response has received thousands of likes in support.

UEFA said it received the request from the mayor of the German city, Dieter Reiter, on Monday.

It said the application was denied because it believes the gesture has a “political context.”

The request was made after Hungary passed legislation banning gay people from appearing in school educational materials or programmes for under-18s.

Due to this, UEFA have offered alternative dates to illuminate the Allianz Arena in rainbow colours.

But other Bundesliga clubs - including, Cologne, Eintracht Frankfurt and Wolfsburg - have already said they plan to light up their stadiums during tomorrow’s match in solidarity.

Supporters of Hitzlsperger also tweeted their praise at his statement and criticised European football’s governing body for not defending gay rights.

Some blasted UEFA for their decision and pleaded with them to reverse it.

There has been a different reaction out of Hungary though.

“Thank God that in the circles of European football leadership common sense still prevails and they did not play along with the political provocation,” said Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, according to Reuters.

“UEFA made the right decision.”

In a statement, UEFA said: “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.

“Discriminatory behaviour has marred both matches themselves and, outside the stadiums, the online discourse around the sport we love.

“However Uefa, through its statutes, 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.”

Meanwhile, UEFA have stopped a review into the rainbow captain’s arm band worn by German international, Manuel Neuer.

It has said that the arm is a a team symbol for diversity and therefore a “good cause.”

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Spider-Man: Brand New Day Fan Art Brings A Huge Change To Tom Holland (And Now I Hope It Happens)
If Brand New Day goes here, things are about to get wild.
Cinemablend
Cinemablend
Emma Stone’s Unexpected Appearance At The 2026 Actor Awards Has Fans Talking
Emma Stone’s "new look" at the Actor Awards has fans, and even experts, buzzing over whether Hollywood’s favorite redhead went under the knife.
Bored Panda
Bored Panda
César Awards Breaks Silence On Jim Carrey Conspiracy Theory As Drag Queen Claims He Posed As Him
César Awards have addressed social media speculation surrounding Jim Carrey’s appearance intensified by a drag queen’s impersonation claim.
Bored Panda
Bored Panda
I Asked Toy Story 5’s Director About Woody’s Bald Spot, And I Loved His Thoughtful Response
I never thought I'd see the day Woody would start balding.
Cinemablend
Cinemablend
Who Paid for Shakira's Historic Zócalo Concert, and Why It Sparked a Political Storm in Mexico City
When Shakira announced a free concert at Mexico City's Zócalo, the headline quickly shifted from music to money. Long before the Colombian superstar took the stage before an estimated 400,000 people, the question dominating political debate and social media was simple and loaded: Who was paying for it.
Latin Times
Latin Times
Zendaya, Tom Holland Allegedly Tied the Knot: Is the Viral Wedding Photo Real or AI?
A teasing remark from stylist Law Roach and a viral image have ignited rumours that Zendaya and Tom Holland quietly married, though nothing has been confirmed. The photo's unclear origins have intensified suspicion that it may be AI‑generated.
International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play