UEFA: No rainbow advertising at Euro 2020 in Russia, Azerbaijan | Euro2020 News
UEFA sponsors such as Volkswagen have been banned from using rainbow advertising on boards in St Petersburg and Baku.
UEFA has asked its main sponsors, including car manufacturer Volkswagen, not to display LGBTQ rainbow signs in Baku and St Petersburg during the Euro 2020, in accordance with local law.
“Due to UEFA’s concerns over local law in Russia and Azerbaijan, the agency has informed us that it is not possible to use the rainbow advertising on the letters of Saint Petersburg and Baku,” German car giant Volkswagen wrote in a statement.
After being contacted by the AFP news agency, the spokesman said that while UEFA “fully supports” messages of “tolerance and respect”, it asked donors to “ensure that its design complies with local laws and not in Baku and Saint Petersburg”.
Germany’s alliance with homosexuality (LSVD) expressed outrage at UEFA’s views
The courage and deception of UEFA is boundless. To do so would not only make homosexuals happy, homosexuals, gays, lesbians in Azerbaijan and Russia, but also throughout Europe, “said spokesman Alfonso Pantisano.
“Once again, at the European Championships, it is clear that UEFA’s demonstrations in favor of diversity, mixed and discriminatory are as absurd and deceptive.”
Earlier in the tournament, during a German match against Hungary, Munich wanted to light the Allianz Arena in the rainbow colors to support the LGBTQ team.
But UEFA has denied the government’s approval.
Several Euro sponsors, including Volkswagen, have instead broadcast rainbow ads in stadiums over the past 16 games, although none of the games have been played in Russia or Azerbaijan.
Volkswagen said it had “regretted” UEFA’s recent refusal, adding that it wanted to “send a clear signal of goodwill to diversification”.
The company said it would be allowed to show rainbow advertisements in Rome and London throughout the European competition.
LGBTQ remains
Two Euro 2020 matches in Hungary is being investigated and UEFA “on the basis of choice”.
When Hungary launched the Euro 2020 match against Portugal in Budapest last month, images on the screen show signs that read “Anti-LMBTQ” – Hungarian abbreviation for gay, lesbian, transgender and queer (LGBTQ).
Hungary’s parliament passed a law in June banning media coverage of schools that promote homosexuality and gender change, amid strong criticism by human rights groups and opposition parties.
Hardline Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who faces elections next year, has become increasingly tolerant of racist ideologies, mocking immigrants and LGBTQ people in his independent government, which has divided Hungary.
