Diversity Wins Outs Over Intolerance

A struggle for European values was clearly evident last night in Allianz Arena, more so than the earlier Euro Championship matches against France and Portugal.   It was more than a sporting even played out on the pitch; it was a battle for tolerance and human dignity and against Europe’s backslide into authoritarianism. 

The Munich city councilors put forward a motion to have the city's Allianz Arena illuminated in rainbow colors for the match between Germany and Hungary after Hungarian lawmakers recently passed anti-LGBTQ legislation which also violates free speech, all of which runs contrary to the stated values of the European Union of which both Germany and Hungary are member states.  However the UEFA, European football's governing body, declined Munich's request stating that the organization is politically neutral and the illumination could be perceived by many as having a political context.  The UEFA should be reminded that the rainbow colors and flags are not of a political nature; rather they represent the importance of racial, cultural, and gender diversity.  As a result of the UEFA ruling, several arenas throughout Germany chose to illuminate in solidarity with Munich and to "fill the void."  Here is the Olympic Stadium in Berlin where Adolf Hitler presided over the games which ultimately demonstrated that  diversity proved stronger than Nazi authoritarianism and intolerance.

Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter called the UEFA decision "shameful" and promised that his host city still planned to send a clear signal to Hungary and the world that Germany and its people stand for tolerance and human dignity for all . . . except for those who practice intolerance.  The city's historic Town Hall, the Olympic Tower, and a large wind turbine adjacent to the arena were to be illuminated in the rainbow colors. Thousands of rainbow flags were also to be distributed to fans as they arrived at the arena.  

Hungary's authoritarian right-wing Prime Minister Victor Orbán announced earlier in the day that despite the UEFA ruling against Munich's plan he was no longer going to attend the match and instead would fly to Brussels where he planned to attend a European leadership summit where I am quite certain he is going to get an earful (and hopefully a swift and solid kick in the pants) from the EU leadership as well as 14 members of the EU who have roundly condemned the Hungarian action as contrary to the organization's values.  Ursula von der Leyen, a former German defense minister and presently the President of the European Commission, called the Hungarian bill “a shame” and promised legal steps against Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ law.  It is difficult to fathom that Orbán would miss attending this particular match which would determine the fate of the Hungarian national team in the European Football Championship.  Deciding to forego his visit to Munich in the face of the anticipated protest again him and his government, Mr. Orbán obviously does not have the courage of his convictions.  Fine.  His kind is not welcome in Germany . . . or anywhere else where democracy and the rule of law are cherished.

Amazingly enough rainbow flags seemed to outnumber German flags when the match began at 9pm.  The so-called Carpathian Brigade, the often confrontational black-clad Hungarian fan base, a fair share of which are members of the country’s alt-Right movements, was expected in force and were warned not to sport neo-Nazi clothing or tattoos which are strictly forbidden in Germany.  Very few of the estimated 2000 Hungarian fans attending the match accepted the proffered flags and they seemed bemused by the entire spectacle.   They should have felt embarrassed and ashamed.

It was a hard fought match ending in a 2:2 draw.  The Hungarian fans are undoubtedly disappointed but they can take pride in how well the team played despite the reality that it has been eliminated from the championship series

The real losers are the cowardly Prime Minister Orbán who almost never misses an opportunity to watch the Hungarian national team play.  At the last minute he decided against traveling to Munich which was geared up to protest the actions of his government.  The UEFA is another clear loser.  Despite claims to support diversity, it has lost its credibility and has been roundly condemned and accused of hypocrisy for denying Munich the right to illuminate Allianz Arena in a show of solidarity with those who are being deprived of their ability to openly express this very diversity.  The UEFA ultimately “came out” and admitted that rainbow imagery is “not a political symbol.”  I am afraid it is a day late and a Euro short.

Germany will go on to meet England at Wimbley Stadium in the next round on June 29, taking with it perhaps Europe’s moral high ground.