Tottenham relocates LGBT+ flag ahead of Champions League match against Slavia Prague
Tottenham Hotspur have moved an LGBT+ flag from the away supporters’ area of their stadium to the south-west corner ahead of this evening’s Champions League encounter with Slavia Prague, reports BritPanorama.
The Czech side requested the relocation through UEFA, citing security concerns regarding the behaviour of their travelling supporters should the flag remain in its usual position. The progress pride flag, which incorporates the Spurs crest alongside LGBTQ+ colours, ordinarily occupies the north-east corner where visiting fans are housed.
Despite initially resisting the request, the north London club eventually agreed to the compromise on safety grounds. A Tottenham spokesperson confirmed: “The flag has been relocated at the request of the visiting team to UEFA on security grounds.”
Slavia Prague provided their rationale, stating that the flag with Tottenham symbols would have been placed directly in the section reserved for their fans. They deemed the arrangement “a logical step based on respect for the space reserved for visiting fans.” However, neither club has elaborated on the precise nature of the safety concerns involved.
The Proud Lilywhites, Tottenham’s LGBTQ+ supporter group, expressed frustration over the decision. In a statement, they declared: “You don’t get to come to our house and dictate what’s acceptable, let alone kick off about a flag that represents our own community. But here we are.” One member described the relocation as a capitulation to those “who are scared of LGBT people,” while several flag owners have reportedly chosen to boycott this evening’s fixture in protest.
The supporters’ organisation emphasised that the move was dictated by “an opposition team request and no reflection of the club’s commitment to the Proud Lilywhites.” Slavia Prague has faced scrutiny from UEFA in recent years, with several disciplinary actions taken against them for the behaviour of their supporters.
This evening’s match represents a crucial juncture in Tottenham’s Champions League campaign as they seek automatic qualification to the knockout rounds. With undercurrents of tension surrounding the relocated flag and the implications of the decision, it underscores how sports can often intertwine with social issues in unexpected ways.
