Upcoming European Football Tournament: EURO 2024 - Soccer and its connection to rainbows and captain's armbands: Exploring the unfounded notion of the sport's apolitical nature.
Three years ago, during a politically charged EURO match at the Munich Arena, midfielder Leon Goretzka formed a small heart with his hands during a Hungarian team's attack. This simple gesture amid the tense environment left a lasting impression. Goretzka's celebratory act was a powerful signal that wasn't rehearsed or staged to convey a specific message.
Before that, there were contentious debates surrounding the proposed rainbow lighting of the stadium in protest against Hungary's homophobic law. The national team found itself caught between the sporting challenge and the demand for big gestures. This dilemma reappeared under different forms, from captain's armbands to surveys addressing racism.
Football and politics are irrevocably linked. In the upcoming weeks, government representatives will be present at EURO stadiums. Recently, German national team players were visited by Bundestag President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban intends to attend the second group match against Hungary on June 23 in Stuttgart. The German national team will play in a new, pink-colored away kit. Unfortunately, Stuttgart's stadium cannot be illuminated.
"Football is always also political. To deny this would be naive," stated UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin to the German Press Agency about the rainbow chaos preceding the 2-2 match in Munich. The European Football Union forbade the stadium's rainbow lighting because of the political nature of the request. UEFA will never delve into political matters and urges politicians to show restraint in sports.
Football and politics are no longer separate. In the coming weeks, expect politicians to appear frequently on the stands of EURO stadiums. German national team players have been recently followed by Bundestag President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD). The Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, intends to attend the Hungary match on June 23 in Stuttgart. The German national team's new, unique pink away kit will be displayed this year. Unfortunately, Stuttgart's stadium won't be illuminated.
SPD Co-Chairman Lars Klingbeil articulated a similar view in a guest column for "watson," expressing concerns over the increasing politicization of football. He posed the question: "Can we remove a few twists and turns before the EURO in Germany, and not keep hiding more in football?"
"One Love" failed
The DFB team was significantly impacted by the political discussion surrounding FIFA's ban on the "One Love" captain's band at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The team's premature exit in the group stage, a documentary about the failure, and Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser wearing the captain's band on the stand alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino were all telling moments. Infantino is less reluctant to be seen with political figures from less democratic countries than Ceferin.
The German Football Association (DFB) and DFB President Bernd Neuendorf faced a steep price in Qatar. It seems like the division between who speaks when and about what is now clearer. In response to the controversial WDR survey suggesting that a fifth of Germans would prefer more white players in the national team, the team players openly debated the issue during EURO preparations.
"We all know that this problem exists worldwide," said National Team Captain Ilkay Gündogan about the presence of racial prejudices. "The numbers are not surprising. It probably won't change within the next ten years – maybe for the better." This statement was confirmed by partially through European election results.
Rainbow colors illuminate the Munich Arena
Munich Arena will proudly showcase rainbow colors during these days, representing acceptance and equality for those who don't identify with mainstream gender and sexual norms. While it's not an EURO game, the symbolic gesture underscores the commitment to these values.
The players, DFB, and officials of German sports will all make their stance crystal clear, asserted Economics Minister Robert Habeck to "Kicker". The DFB is a "flagship for the republic we are proud of". The team plays for Germany, and "we want a friendly, peace-loving Germany."
But, the Munich Arena glows not in pink but in rainbow colors for all to see. This symbolizes acceptance and equality for people who don't conform to the conventional gender or sexuality norms. An event, unfortunately, it's not an EURO game, but a statement, and yet still, a powerful one.
