DFB Captain Gwinn showcases rainbow ties at Euro Cup
In the world of football, the rainbow armband has become a powerful symbol of solidarity and inclusion for the LGBTQI+ community. Originating from the broader use of the rainbow flag in 1978 as a symbol of LGBTQ pride, the armband has found its place in football as a visible demonstration of support for LGBTQ rights.
One of the earliest football campaigns promoting the use of rainbow armbands was the "Right Behind Gay Footballers" initiative in the UK in 2013. Since then, teams and players have worn the armbands to show their backing for LGBTQ rights, with notable figures like Leah Williamson, captain of the England women's football team, prominently wearing a Stonewall rainbow armband during the 2022 UEFA Women's Euros.
However, the use of rainbow armbands has not been without controversy. In recent years, participation in wearing rainbow symbols has been uneven, with some players citing personal or religious reasons to opt out or cover the symbols. A high-profile incident occurred in Ligue 1 (French top-flight football) in 2025, when Nemanja Matic and Ahmed Hassan concealed the league's anti-homophobia rainbow badge on their shirts and were each given bans for this action.
The DFB, the German football association, has registered the rainbow armband with UEFA for the European Championship in Switzerland. The German national team, led by captain Giulia Gwinn, will wear the armband as a symbol for the LGBTQI+ community. Gwinn, who is leading the German team as captain at a tournament for the first time, expressed her immense honor at the opportunity and her commitment to representing values of diversity and against discrimination.
The team, coached by Christian Wück, will kick off the tournament on Friday against Poland in St. Gallen. The rainbow armband thus serves as a focal point for broader cultural debates and controversies at major football tournaments and leagues, symbolising the ongoing challenges of achieving full acceptance in football culture.
It's important to note that the English abbreviation LGBTQI+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and the plus sign is a placeholder for further identities and genders. The German national team's decision to wear the rainbow armband is a clear statement of their commitment to supporting and representing the LGBTQI+ community.
References: 1. BBC News (2025). Nemanja Matic and Ahmed Hassan banned for hiding Ligue 1 anti-homophobia badge. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57463714 2. The Guardian (2021). Tottenham Hotspur to introduce system to report anti-gay chants. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/28/tottenham-hotspur-to-introduce-system-to-report-anti-gay-chants 3. The Telegraph (2022). Leah Williamson wears rainbow armband in England's Euro 2022 opener. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/07/06/leah-williamson-wears-rainbow-armband-englands-euro-2022-opener/ 4. History.com Editors (2021). Rainbow flag. [online] Available at: https://www.history.com/news/rainbow-flag-history-gay-pride-symbol
The German national football team, led by captain Giulia Gwinn, has registered the rainbow armband with UEFA for the European Championship in Switzerland. During the tournament, the team will wear the armband as a symbol of support for the European leagues' LGBTQI+ community, demonstrating their commitment to promoting diversity and combating discrimination in football culture.
