BERLIN: The German FA has stated it won’t be penalized by UEFA for its rainbow-coloured captain’s armband Germany skipper Manuel Neuer has worn out throughout Euro 2020 in solidarity with gay pride this season.
The German Football Association (DFB) said that it has obtained a letter from European soccer’s governing body stating that an overview of the issue was stopped.
“The armband was evaluated as a group emblem for diversity and for a’good reason'”, the DFB said on Twitter.
Typically, the captains of each group in the European Championship are reluctant to put on a normal armband issued by UEFA.
Former Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, that came out as gay after indulging in 2013 and is currently head of game in VfB Stuttgart, was unimpressed that UEFA were looking into the armband matter.
“Come , @UEFA @EURO2020 – you cannot be severe?!” Hitzelsperger tweeted Sunday.
DFB spokesman Jens Grittner had stated on Sunday which Neuer wouldn’t have ceased wearing the rainbow armband even though UEFA chose to penalize the Germans.
“June is also the month of’Pride’ in game to promote greater diversity.
This past year, the DFB can be engaging with a variety of campaigns,” explained Grittner.
“Manuel Neuer was sporting the rainbow armband as a favorable against Latvia on June as a signal and crystal clear dedication of the entire group such as unity, diversity, tolerance and against hatred and exclusion.
The concept is: we’re colourful!”