Fan runs on field with rainbow flag during Hungarian anthem amid LGBTQ controversy at Euro 2020
Henry Bushnell
A Germany fan ran onto the field during the Hungarian national anthem and defiantly held up a rainbow flag before a Euro 2020 match on Wednesday.
Another angle of that run by the protester (courtesy of our ESPN sound man Domenic). Times his run well. Good composure. Ends up being tackled. Made his point. 🌈 pic.twitter.com/igW6SsurVm
The law, promoted by strongman prime minister Viktor Orban, bans LGBTQ representation in educational material at schools, or in kids television shows. Shortly after its passage, Hungarian fans displayed a “Anti-LMBTQ” banner at their Euro 2020 opener in Budapest.
UEFA, the European soccer governing body, did not act swiftly. More prominently, it opened an investigation into German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who has been wearing a rainbow captain's armband throughout the tournament in support of the LGBTQ community during pride month.
The investigation was quickly dropped after widespread backlash, with UEFA acknowledging the armband was for a "good cause." But it then denied a request from Munich to light up the Allianz Arena, the site of Wednesday's match, in rainbow colors. Munich mayor Dieter Reiter wished to do so to "send a visible message of solidarity to the LGBT community in Hungary, which is suffering under recent legislation passed by the Hungarian government."
UEFA responded with a statement: “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.”
The lack of public support for the LGBTQ community from UEFA created a defiant atmosphere at Wednesday's match. German fans showed up in rainbow-colored clothing, and with rainbow flags, as Germany's minister for Europe Michael Roth had encouraged them to do.
The pitch invasion was the most aggressive display of LGBTQ support. The fan, who also wore a Germany jersey, was tackled by security guards. Some German fans cheered him. Hungarian players stood stoically and sang their national anthem with right hands over hearts.
Hungary hosted its first two Euro 2020 matches, then traveled to Munich for its third and final group match. It is also slated to host the 2022 Europa League final, another UEFA event.
Last week, Piara Powar, the executive director of FARE, a prominent organization fighting discrimination in sports, said: “The situation in Hungary is problematic. We do need a better and more firm approach to respect for universal rights being conditional for hosting matches at major tournaments."