‘A clash of football and politics’

BBC Brussels Correspondent Nick Beake

The Allianz stadium is illuminated aqua blue against the moody Munich sky – a colour clearly deemed uncontroversial by Uefa.

But inside, there was controversy – a spectator wearing a German shirt ran on to the pitch with a rainbow flag during the Hungarian anthem.

Moments later, a section of the visiting fans appeared to turn their back on the German anthem.

This is a football fixture which has taken on an added dimension – a clash of football and politics.

As the 11,000 supporters streamed in, members of the city’s LGBT community and human rights groups offered rainbow flags – in place of those colours not being beamed on to walls of the stadium.

Theresa, a local artist, told us she was sending a message to Hungary’s prime minster that his new law was wrong and was pleased that a row between Munich’s mayor and Uefa had gained international attention.

Christoph, Maurice and Enrico who all play for Street Boys Munich – the city’s prominent gay football team – were looking forward to the match but were unimpressed by Uefa’s decision to temporarily change its logo to incorporate rainbow colours.

“It’s a pink-wash,” said Christoph, saying the move was like a whitewash but with a cynical attempt to burnish gay-friendly credentials that was in fact a “lie”.