Vettel slams UEFA’s “wrong” decision to ban pride colours at Euro 2020

UEFA prevented attempts by the Munich government to light up Germany’s national football stadium in pride colours in support of LGBTQ+ rights ahead of last night’s Euro 2020 match between Germany and Hungary.

The planned gesture was meant to be an act of solidarity in response to Hungary passing an anti-gay law to ban the depiction and promotion of homosexuality to under-18s in the country.

UEFA stood firm on its decision to block the rainbow colours, leading to a day of protests in Germany.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Styrian Grand Prix, Vettel called on institutions to “rethink” their approach on banning such messages.

“I don’t know all the details but I think to excuse it as a political message I think is the wrong path,” he said.

“It’s definitely not harming anybody and I think it’s a great message that they would have loved to send out and were not allowed.

"So I think some institutions need to rethink their approach on banning these types of messages. As I said it’s definitely the way forward and I didn’t understand it.”

German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has been showing his support for the LGBT+ community during the Euro 2020 tournament by wearing a rainbow-coloured captain’s armband. Earlier this week, UEFA dropped its investigation over Neuer’s armband.

Netherlands captain Georginio Wijnaldum is also set to wear a rainbow armband when for his side’s last-16 tie against the Czech Republic in Budapest.