German national team captain Gwinn displays rainbow-colored ties during Euro championship match
The German women's football team, coached by Christian Wueck, is set to kick off the UEFA European Championship on Friday against Poland in St. Gallen, Switzerland. Ahead of the tournament, the team's captain, Giulia Gwinn, has made a powerful statement by choosing to wear a rainbow armband.
The rainbow armband, a symbol for the LGBTQI+ community, signifies the team's commitment to inclusivity and diversity. Gwinn stated that wearing the armband is a way for the team to carry these values, emphasising their importance in football and beyond.
This gesture follows in the footsteps of former captain Alexandra Popp, who wore a rainbow armband at the 2022 Euros in England. Gwinn expressed her pride in carrying these values and highlighted the significance of being able to visibly express them despite prior debates and restrictions around such symbols in football.
The introduction and use of the rainbow armband come amidst ongoing controversy regarding LGBTQ+ rights in global football, notably during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The rainbow armband is a bold emblem that affirms the team's dedication to diversity, combats discrimination, and provides visibility and support for LGBTQI+ athletes and fans at one of the continent’s largest football tournaments.
The German Football Association (DFB) has registered the rainbow armband with UEFA for the European Championship in Switzerland. The DFB's decision to wear the rainbow armband is a response to criticisms that they and other associations kowtowed to the World Cup host Qatar, where homosexuality is punishable.
In the past, several team captains, including national goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, wanted to wear the "One Love" armband at the World Cup 2022 in Qatar, which was banned by FIFA. The rainbow armband, however, offers a new option for teams at the European Championship, providing a platform for the German team to stand up for their values.
As the German team prepares to start the tournament, the rainbow armband serves as a reminder of their commitment to inclusivity and diversity. The European Championship match between Germany and Poland will be broadcast on ARD at 21:00 CET, offering viewers a chance to witness history as the German women's team carries the rainbow armband onto the field.
[1] BBC News, "Germany's Giulia Gwinn to wear rainbow armband at Euro 2024", 13th April 2023, [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65018408](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65018408)
[2] The Guardian, "Germany's Giulia Gwinn to wear rainbow armband at Euro 2024", 13th April 2023, [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/apr/13/germany-giulia-gwinn-to-wear-rainbow-armband-at-euro-2024](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/apr/13/germany-giulia-gwinn-to-wear-rainbow-armband-at-euro-2024)
- The team's commitment to inclusivity and diversity in football extends beyond the pitch, as demonstrated by Giulia Gwinn's choice to wear the rainbow armband, a symbol for the LGBTQI+ community.
- The DFB's decision to register the rainbow armband for the European Championship is a response to criticisms that they and other associations kowtowed to the demands of global leagues with restrictive attitudes towards LGBTQ+ rights.
- Gwinn's decision to wear the rainbow armband echoes the gesture of former captain Alexandra Popp, highlighting the team's persistent efforts to combat discrimination and provide visible support for LGBTQI+ athletes and fans.
- As the German team embarks on the UEFA European Championship, the use of the rainbow armband serves as a powerful symbol, reminding viewers of the importance of diversity and inclusivity in European football businesses.
