UEFA: No rainbow-colored advertisement at Euro 2020 in Russia, Azerbaijan Euro2020 News

UEFA sponsors like Volkswagen have banned the use of rainbow-colored advertisements in advertisements in St. Petersburg and Baku.

UEFA has asked its main sponsors, including carmaker Volkswagen, not to display rainbow-colored advertising banners in the LGBTQ community in Baku and St. Petersburg for the 2020 2020 matches, citing compliance with local laws.

“Due to UEFA’s concerns about the legal framework for places in Russia and Azerbaijan, the association informed us that rainbow-colored advertising could not be used on posters in St. Petersburg and Baku,” the German car giant Volkswagen wrote in a statement.

Contacting the AFP news agency, a spokesman said that while UEFA “fully accepts” messages of “tolerance and respect”, he asked sponsors to “ensure that their design complies with local legislation and that this did not happen in Baku and St Petersburg”. .

The German Gay and Lesbian Association (LSVD) expressed outrage at UEFA’s stance.

“UEFA’s courage and deception are unlimited. With this action, not only lesbians, homosexuals, bisexuals, trans and intersex people are being betrayed, but also in Azerbaijan and Russia, as well as throughout Europe, ”said spokesman Alfonso Pantisano.

“Once again, in this European Championship, it is clear that the protests by UEFA in favor of a diverse, inclusive and non-discriminatory society are as invalid as they are hypocritical.”

Earlier in the tournament, in a group match played by Germany against Hungary, the city of Munich wanted to light up the colors of the Allianz Arena rainbow in favor of the LGBTQ community.

But UEFA refused permission from local authorities.

Some of its sponsors, including Volkswagen, issued rainbow-colored ads in stadiums in the last sixteen matches, none of which were played in Russia or Azerbaijan.

Volkswagen has said it has “regretted” UEFA’s latest refusal, adding that it wants to “send a clear signal in favor of diversity”.

The company said it would be allowed to show rainbow-colored advertising at the rest of the European Championships in Rome and London.

Discrimination against LGBTQ

Two Euro 2020 football matches in Hungary they are investigating UEFA for “potential discriminatory incidents”.

Last month in the Euro 2020 match against Hungary against Portugal, the images on social media featured “LMBTQ” banners – lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) Hungarians.

In June, the Hungarian Parliament passed legislation banning the dissemination of content in schools that promote homosexuality and gender change amid strong criticism from human rights groups and opposition parties.

Viktor Orban, the toughest nationalist prime minister ahead of next year’s election, is increasingly conservative in social policies as he pits himself against immigrants and LGBTQ people in a liberal-style government of the same style that has deeply divided Hungarians.