Hungary game in Munich: Rainbow stays outside, atmosphere remains colourful

European Football Championship in Munich: Dispute over colourful lights and Hungarian fans

Munich – The Allianz Arena was originally supposed to be lit up in rainbow colours for the German national team’s final European Championship group match against Hungary on 23 June 2021. However, the European Football Union (UEFA) rejected this plan. Activists were not deterred by this: they distributed rainbow flags in front of the stadium and created a cheerful, exuberant atmosphere.

Things were less cheerful in the afternoon in the city centre, where Hungarian fans gathered on Wienerplatz. Some felt provoked by the media present and the rainbow flags. To defuse the heated situation, the police intervened and bussed the fans directly to the stadium – without any further contact with the activists. This meant that the colourful hustle and bustle outside the stadium gates remained largely undisturbed.