SUMMARY
- UEFA want's to provide a safe environment for everybody.
- UEFA states to stand with the LGBTQI+ community.
UEFA’s commitment to support the LGBTQI+ community
Back in 2022, UEFA released an official statement on their website. The statement revealed their long-term commitment to support the LGBTQI+ community. As per the statement, the governing body wanted to increase its role in developing LGBTQI+ awareness within the sport.
Rainbow colours will be displayed on the centreboard of the #WEuro2022 opening match between the @Lionesses and Austria tomorrow to acknowledge the importance of Pride month as part of UEFA’s long-term commitment to support the LGBTQI+ community. pic.twitter.com/AT96XXe6Qf
— Asif Burhan (@AsifBurhan) July 5, 2022
They revealed they will work with their partners to build a safe environment in the sport for the community. As part of this project, they developed education programs for awareness about the community. A whole new project to monitor and moderate online abuse against the community. Also, a pledge to display the rainbow colors during Pride month along with their partners.
The approach was extended to all soccer clubs within its governance and all 55 national associations. All the major clubs and countries fall in line with these goals, apart from one. It was revealed that Real Madrid distanced themselves from UEFA on this stance.
Real Madrid refused UEFA’s commitment to the LGBTQI+ community
Real Madrid refused to include the rainbow colors in their logo and their jerseys as part of the UEFA’s commitment. Argentina’s sports daily Diário Olé reported that Real Madrid’s president, Florentino Perez, disagreed with the UEFA’s statement as it was contrary to the club’s traditions and beliefs.
Real Madrid is the only big team in Europe that hasn’t waved the LGBT flag https://t.co/ubfObJaQJ0
— Salim 🇵🇸 (@Arc_Shady) June 28, 2023
The bold statement from Perez raised eyebrows within the soccer community at the time. It was speculated that UEFA will sanction the Spanish club for not following their commitment goals. However, Marca later reported and revealed that UEFA doesn’t have the power to punish Real Madrid. The governing body doesn’t have any power to sanction a club because of its commitment goals to a specific community.
Real Madrid didn’t break any UEFA laws related to soccer. UEFA had no legal grounds to punish the Spanish club which worked in favor of the Spanish club. It has been speculated within the soccer community that Real Madrid has shown disregard for the LGBTQI+ community due to their large Muslim fan base.
It is hard to prove whether Real Madrid chose their Muslim fan base over the LGBTQI+ community. However, in recent years they have not shown any public support to the minor community which has slowly gained prominence throughout the Western world.