Above: the Alliance Arena in Munich has assumed rainbow colours on a number of previous occasions<\/p>\n
The mayor of Munich, Dieter Reiter, will ask Uefa for permission to light the Allianz Arena in rainbow colours for Germany\u2019s match against Hungary<\/a> on Wednesday, in response to anti-LGBTQ+ legislation passed by the Hungarian parliament.<\/p>\n The new law, voted through this month<\/a>, will ban the sharing of information that is considered to promote homosexuality or non-binary gender identities among under-18s. It is viewed as another step backwards for Hungary under its prime minister, Viktor Orban, and his right-wing Fidesz party. Reiter has acted after a cross-party motion by Munich city councillors called for the stadium to be illuminated in a visible stand against Orban\u2019s position.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Bavarian state capital supports diversity, tolerance and genuine equality in sport and in society,\u201d read the motion. \u201cOn the occasion of the match between Germany<\/a> and Hungary, the council wishes to send a visible message of solidarity to the LGBT community in Hungary, which is suffering under recent legislation passed by the Hungarian government.<\/p>\n \u201cThis law represents a new nadir in the disenfranchisement of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people, the latest in a series of measures over the years which constitute a systematic restriction of the rule of law and basic freedoms in Hungary.\u201d<\/p>\n Reiter said the suggestion is \u201can important sign of tolerance and equality\u201d and hopes to receive the go-ahead from European football\u2019s governing body. Hungary are also in the spotlight after Uefa on Sunday opened a disciplinary investigation into \u201cpotential discriminatory incidents\u201d that occurred in both of their Euro 2020<\/a> matches at the Puskas Arena against Portugal and France.<\/p>\n Homophobic banners were spotted in the crowd during Hungary\u2019s 3-0 defeat by Portugal on Tuesday, the day the Hungarian parliament passed its draconian legislation, while a banner protesting against taking the knee was displayed in the end housing their hardcore support against France on Saturday. A Uefa<\/a> ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to investigate the incidents.<\/p>\n The facade of the Allianz Arena \u2013 known plainly as Football Arena Munich for the tournament\u2019s duration \u2013 has assumed rainbow colours on a number of previous occasions, most recently as part of a campaign to promote tolerance and diversity when Bayern Munich hosted Hoffenheim in January.<\/p>\n The match itself will be crucial for Germany and Hungary, both of whom are fighting to qualify from Group F. Hungary must win to have a chance of progression while a draw should be sufficient for Germany, who could top the group with a victory.<\/p>\n