Germany captain Manuel Neuer won’t be disciplined for wearing rainbow armband in support of Pride Month in Uefa U-turn
GERMANY captain Manuel Neuer will face no disciplinary action for wearing a rainbow coloured armband against Portugal and France.
The German skipper, 35, donned the rainbow armband in support of Pride Month.
But rather than throw their weight behind the cause, Uefa opened an investigation whether it could be viewed as a political statement.
However, Uefa have now concluded there is no case to answer, given Neuer, 35, was “promoting a good cause”.
A spokesperson said: “Uefa looked into the armband worn by the player in question and, considering that it was promoting a good cause, i.e. diversity, the team will not face disciplinary proceedings.”
The German Football Association said it had received a letter from UEFA confirming the matter should be considered closed.
The DFB posted on Twitter on Sunday evening: “UEFA have today shared with the DFB that they have stopped the review of the rainbow captain’s armband worn by @Manuel_Neuer.
“In a letter, the armband has been assessed as a team symbol for diversity and thus for a ‘good cause’.”
It had been feared that Germany could even have been FINED for their support of Pride Month with Uefa statutes prohibiting ‘political’ signs being made during matches.
Board member of LSVD, the German Lesbian and Gay Federation, Christian Rudolph said: “That is unacceptable.
“It is a fatal sign. We are currently in Pride Month and at the most important sporting event of the month should the wearing of a rainbow captain’s armband be prevented?
“Uefa also needs to think about who it represents.
“How should the athletes think about it now? We are committed to open football.
“And this month we also want to send a signal to all the athletes from the LGBTI community.
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“It was important to us that Neuer can wear the rainbow captain’s armband for the entire month. These are now the values that the DFB represents.”
On Monday, Mayor of Munich Dieter Reiter is expected to file a cross-party motion from the city’s council to Uefa, asking them for permission to light up Allianz Arena in rainbow colours for their clash with Hungary on Wednesday.
There are also plans for Munich City Hall to be decorated by rainbow flags.
Last week, Hungarian parliament reportedly approved a law that ‘restricts young people’s right to information about homosexuality and transsexuality’.
And their fans are being investigated by Uefa for alleged racist and homophobic chanting in the games against Portugal and France.
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