Georginio Wijnaldum will wear a rainbow-coloured armband when he captains the Netherlands against the Czech Republic in Budapest on Monday and has declared that he and his teammates could leave the field if they are subjected to any form of abuse.
Hungary has faced criticism over its treatment of LGBTQ people after passing a law that prohibits the sharing of content in schools that could be deemed to promote homosexuality and gender change.
Football’s attempts to show support have also created controversy, with UEFA launching an investigation into Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s use of a rainbow armband – a nod to the flag of the LGBTQ community – before acknowledging the motif as “a team symbol for diversity”.
However, the governing body did not allow Munich’s Allianz Arena to be lit up in those colours for Germany’s final Group F game against Hungary on Thursday, ostensibly due to its rules regarding political neutrality.
But that has not discouraged Wijnaldum from plans to wear an armband featuring the words “One Love” for the first time in the tournament when the Dutch head to the Hungarian capital.
“It is not just against Hungary,” he said. “The armband means a lot because we stand for diversity – one love means everybody is a part of it and everybody should be free to be who they are.
“In our opinion [the right to be yourself] has been encroached upon. As players, we have a podium to do whatever we can to help.”
UEFA launched an investigation into allegations that France star Kylian Mbappe and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo faced racist and homophobic abuse during their appearances in Budapest.
And Wijnaldum has warned that he will be ready to take his team off the pitch should any such incidents occur during Monday’s last-16 clash.
“UEFA should be there to protect the players and make the decision,” he said. “It should not be left to the players. Players often get punished for protecting themselves so UEFA needs to take a lead role in this.
“I have said I don’t really know how I will react in such a situation. I thought first that I would walk off the pitch but maybe not now because maybe the opponent will think: ‘Let them [in the crowd] throw racist slurs and they will walk off the pitch’.
“It could be the case that I will walk off the pitch but I will speak with the players about it first.”