Spurs’ LGBTQ+ fans slam team for moving Pride flag on ‘security grounds’

Spurs’ LGBTQ+ supporters group, Proud Lilywhites, have slammed the team’s decision to move its Pride flag on “security grounds”. 

The Progress Pride flag can usually be spotted in the north-east corner of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but it was relocated for the the team’s game against Slavia Prague, which Tottenham won, on Tuesday (9 December). 

Spurs confirmed the flag was “relocated at the request of the visiting team to UEFA on security grounds”.

In response, the Proud Lilywhites opposed the away club’s request, noting in a statement that the club’s concern about supporters damaging the flag or causing disorder led the UEFA to assess the risk. As a result, the flag was relocated. 

Slavia Prague said, as per the BBC: “The flag with Tottenham symbols would have been placed directly in the section reserved for our fans at that moment. For this reason, it was temporarily moved in another place in the stadium and with an agreement with the home club.

“This is a logical step based on respect for the space reserved for visiting fans, just as Slavia fans outside the visiting section respect the rules of not wearing our club colours or symbols.”

Lilywhites’ statement added: “The risk here isn’t the flag. It’s the reaction of a small number of opposition supporters. That’s disappointing, and it’s another reminder of the hostility LGBTQI+ fans still face across European football.”

The group said that the decision will not “become anything more than a one-off”, emphasising that focus will remain on “challenging prejudice, not hiding from it”. 

“Moments like today show exactly why visibility matters. LGBTQI+ fans shouldn’t have to shrink to make others feel comfortable,” the group captioned the statement. 

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• Dec 01 2023

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