UEFA

UEFA have denied Germany’s request to illuminate the Allianz Arena in all the colours of the rainbow due to ‘political’ reasons.Munich mayor Dieter Reiter had asked Europe’s governing body if they could light up Bayern’s stadium in protest to a new law passed in Hungary.
Uefa have denied Germany’s request to illuminate the Allianz Arena in rainbow colours in protest of a controversial new law passed in Hungary due to ‘political’ reasonsCredit: Getty
Uefa recently revealed Germany and Manuel Neuer will face no punishment after the captain wore a rainbow armband in support of Pride Month in games against France and PortugalCredit: Getty
The newly-introduced law prohibits the sharing of content believed to promote homosexuality and/or gender change to Under-18s.
The rainbow is a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride, with German officials hoping to make a stand with the eyes of the world focused on Euro 2020.
But Uefa say they must ‘decline’ due to being a ‘neutral organisation’ and suggested other date for the Allianz Arena to host its colourful protest.
A statement read: “Racism, homophobia, sexism, and all forms of discrimination are a stain on our societies – and represent one of the biggest problems faced by the game today.
“Discriminatory behaviour has marred both matches themselves and, outside the stadiums, the online discourse around the sport we love.
“However Uefa, through its statutes, is a politically and religiously neutral organisation.
“Given the political context of this specific request – a message aiming at a decision taken by the Hungarian national parliament – Uefa must decline this request.”
The statement continued: “Uefa understands the intention is to send a message to promote diversity and inclusion.

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“[That’s] a cause Uefa has been supporting for many years – having joined forces with European clubs, national teams and their players, launching campaigns and plenty of activities all over Europe to promote the ethos that football should be open to everyone.
“And consequently, Uefa has proposed alternative dates for the illumination which align better with existing events.
“Uefa has proposed to the city of Munich to illuminate the stadium on either June 28 – the Christopher Street Liberation Day – or between July 3-9, which is the Christopher Street Day week in Munich.”
During games against Portugal and France, Germany captain Manuel Neuer, 35, has worn a rainbow armband in support of Pride Month.
Uefa opened an investigation whether it could be viewed as a political statement.
However, Uefa have now concluded there is no case to answer, given Neuer was ‘promoting a good cause’.
The German Football Association said it had received a letter from Uefa confirming the matter should be considered closed.
It had been feared that Germany could have been FINED for their support of Pride Month with Uefa statutes prohibiting ‘political’ signs being made during matches.
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THE FINAL of Euro 2020 is set to remain at Wembley – and up to 75,000 fans will be allowed to attend.The government are on the cusp of agreeing a deal with Uefa to allow 2,500 foreign media and a ‘small number’ of VIPs to attend the showpiece event without having to quarantine.
PM Boris Johnson is negotiating a deal with Uefa to keep the final of Euro 2020 at WembleyCredit: Getty
Up to 75,000 fans are expected to attend the match in LondonCredit: Getty
Boris Johnson is understood to be under pressure to allow more spectators to attend, with Uefa threatening to move the final elsewhere.
The Puskas Arena in Budapest is at full capacity for the tournament – around 67,000 – and would be willing to the stage the final if necessary.
Wembley is currently welcoming just 22,500 fans for the group stage of Euro 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions.
But capacity for the final is now expected to be between 60,000 and 75,000.
The PM is also set to allow VIPs into the country WITHOUT having to quarantine – but they must leave within 24 hours of arrival.
Uefa’s special guests are also expected to be in a ‘bubble’ during their time in London and won’t mix with UK-based supporters.
Confirmation of the stadium’s capacity for the final is expected to be announced as early as Tuesday, June 22 – the same day as England face Czech Republic.

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Johnson’s official spokesman said: “We continue to look forward to hosting the semi finals and final here in the UK at Wembley.
“We will continue to work closely with Uefa.”
But the PM’s sister Rachel Johnson slammed the rule bending as ‘the final nail in the coffin of the Covid restrictions’.
She said: “Above all, I think if this event does go ahead on British soil, the 2,500 VIPs and hangers-on… will literally put the final nail in the coffin of the Covid restrictions.
“The government will have to open up probably before the terminus date of July 19 because I think the Covid restrictions will be collapsing under the weight of their own contradictions and the country will not put up with it.”

Speaking in the Lords, Culture minister Lady Barran said: “We are not exempting any VIPs or accredited guests from our restrictions.
“If it’s agreed they should enter the UK, they would only be able to leave isolation for official events and would be subject to a very strict code of conduct.”
She added: “We already permit certain officials and accredited guests to enter the UK for these matches under the elite sport exemption.
“We will continue to keep the scope of these exemptions under review and are working closely with the FA and Uefa to ensure these Euro 2020 matches take place successfully.”
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UEFA and the Government remain ‘hopeful’ of a deal to ensure the closing stages of Euro 2020 remain at Wembley.Euro chiefs have warned they could move the semi-finals and final to Budapest unless they receive guarantees from Britain.
Boris Johnson is hopeful a deal can be struck to keep the Euro 2020 climax at WembleyCredit: Reuters
Uefa have threatened to move the semi-finals and final from London to BudapestCredit: Getty
Uefa pointed out that part of the agreement with the UK and FA over hosting was that there would be an agreement to allow up to 2,500 VIPs, sponsors and foreign media into the country for the games.
But current Covid rules would require all overseas visitors to observe strict 10-day hotel quarantines, making the idea of travel for the matches at short notice impossible.
Uefa is also seeking the green light from the UK authorities for fans of the competing teams to be allowed into the country to watch the matches, which will be played in front of a capped attendance of 40,000.
That requires a relaxation of UK border regulations, which is a significant stumbling block.
The sponsor, VIP and media demands scuppered plans to play last month’s Champions League Final between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley when it was moved from Istanbul, with the match eventually being played in Oporto. 
But with PM Boris Johnson also aware that failing to stage the games as scheduled could have a damaging impact on the effort to gain Uefa’s support for the planned British Isles 2030 World Cup bid, it is expected that a deal can be struck.
Johnson confirmed on Friday that he was ready to make ‘some sensible accommodations’ to meet Uefa’s expectations, rather than risk losing the matches.
But Uefa also recognises that it cannot be hardline in its demands.

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Talks have taken place over the past 48 hours and will continue into next week, with a final decision expected before Wednesday.
Now the mood at Uefa headquarters in Nyon is positive with a growing belief that a meeting of minds will be found.
That is likely to see a slight softening of Uefa’s demands, although Euro bosses are pushing strongly for 24-hour fan ‘bubbles’ – involving hotel and transportation – to ensure supporters can attend the game and return home immediately.
One insider said: “We are both confident we will get where we need to be on this.
“Nobody really wants to move the game to Hungary, although that is not off the table if we cannot find a suitable agreement.”
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SNIPERS were prepared to SHOOT the Greenpeace protester who parachuted onto the pitch before the Euro 2020 game between France and Germany.The police only decided against firing when they noticed the parachute had the environmental organisation’s logo on, according to a German minister.
Police were worried the protester who parachuted onto the pitch at Euro 2020 was a terroristCredit: EPA
Snipers were prepared to shoot the protester before noticing the Greenpeace logoCredit: EPA
Bavaria’s interior minister for the state Joachim Herrmann claims coppers in Munich were prepared to shoot the protester as they feared it was a terrorist attack.
The politician said: “Due to the Greenpeace banner the marksmen did not intervene.
“But if the police had come to a different conclusion that they might have been dealing with a terrorist attack, the aviator may well have paid with his life.”
Police in Munich have confirmed two men were injured by the pilot during his entrance into the stadium and were taken to hospital.
The protester lost control of his parachute, clashing with the spidercam and causing debris to fall onto the playing surface.
The police added: “There is no understanding whatsoever for such irresponsible actions in which a considerable risk to human life is accepted.”

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Uefa have also condemned Greenpeace’s actions, releasing a statement after the match.
It reads: “This inconsiderate act – which could have had very serious consequences for a huge number of people attending – caused injuries to several people attending the game who are now in hospital and law authorities will take the necessary action.
“Uefa and its partners are fully committed to a sustainable Euro 2020 tournament and many initiatives have been implemented to offset carbon emissions.
“The staging of the match was fortunately not impacted by such a reckless and dangerous action, but several people were injured nonetheless.”

Greenpeace have apologised for the failed stunt, tweeting: “This protest was never meant to interrupt the game or injure people.
“We hope that everyone is OK and that nobody has been seriously injured.
“Greenpeace actions are always peaceful and non-violent. Unfortunately, with this stunt everything did not go to plan.”
The organisation later tried to explain their plan in a second Twitter post, writing: “The pilot had wanted to let a balloon hover in the stadium, but had to then do an emergency landing, due to the fact that the hand gas control of the parachute failed.”
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FUMING Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand raged that Uefa rules allow a postponement for coronavirus but not following a cardiac arrest.Christian Eriksen collapsed just before half-time, requiring CPR and a defibrillator shock to resuscitate him on the pitch in Copenhagen.
Kasper Hjulmand slammed Uefa for allowing postponements for coronavirus but not Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrestCredit: AP
The Danish head coach was managing on the pitch just 90 minutes after Eriksen was taken awayCredit: Getty
But Hjulmand’s side were forced to play the remaining 50 minutes of Saturday’s Euro 2020 clash against Finland, taking to the field around 90 minutes after seeing their team-mate rushed to hospital.
And he hit out at Uefa once again for their handling of the situation.
Speaking to the press today ahead of Thursday’s game with Belgium, Hjulmand said: “Coronavirus allows you to postpone a match for 48 hours.
“A cardiac arrest obviously does not. That, I think, is wrong. 
“There is learning here. It was not the right decision to continue playing. 
“The boys showed so much strength by going out and playing on. 
“But I do not think it was the right thing to give us and the players the choice to go out and finish play on Saturday or Sunday.”
Uefa gave Denmark the choice to either conclude the Finland clash on Saturday night or come back on Sunday lunchtime.
The world held its breath after Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch

Peter Schmeichel, former Danish goalkeeper and father of Kasper who was in goal on Saturday, revealed Uefa threatened his country with a 3-0 forfeit if they did not take one of those options.
Uefa categorically deny the claim but Schmeichel said: “They said the players insisted on playing. I know that not to be the truth. Or that’s how you see the truth.
“They were left with three options. One was to play immediately and get the last 50 minutes played.
“The next one was to come in yesterday at 12 noon and finish the 50 minutes.
“And the third option was to forfeit the game and lose 3-0.
“So, you know, work it out for yourself. Is it the players’ wish to play? Did they have any choice really? I don’t think they had.
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“And as you can hear from yesterday’s press conference, the coach seriously regrets putting the players back on the pitch.”
Eriksen is stable and recovering in hospital following the shocking weekend events.
He gave a thumbs up from his bed on Tuesday morning and shared a message on his Instagram.
The Inter Milan star wrote: “Hello everyone. Big thanks for your sweet and amazing greetings and messages from all around the world. It means a lot to me and my family.
“I’m fine – under the circumstances. I still have to go through some examinations at the hospital, but I feel okay.
“Now, I will cheer on the boys on the Denmark team in the next matches. Play for all of Denmark. Best, Christian.”
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