A Symbol of Unity or Division? Rainbow Armbands Spark Debate at Women’s Euros

A symbol intended to promote tolerance and inclusion is proving to be a point of division at the UEFA Women’s European Championship, as team captains’ choices to wear—or not wear—a rainbow armband come under scrutiny.

For the tournament in Switzerland, UEFA has offered captains two options: a standard blue and yellow armband with the word “Respect,” or one featuring the bright colors of the rainbow flag. While the governing body says both are available, the decisions made by each captain are being interpreted as significant statements.

The rainbow armband is widely recognized as a symbol of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and a broader stand for diversity. Its use has been encouraged by UEFA at recent tournaments, particularly after the organization faced criticism for blocking the Allianz Arena in Munich from being illuminated in rainbow colors during the men’s Euro 2020 as a protest against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Hungary.

At this year’s tournament, the choice has been varied. Captains from England, Germany, Sweden, Norway, and Switzerland have been seen wearing the rainbow armband. However, the captains of other top nations, including France and Spain, have opted for the “Respect” version. When Italy’s Cristiana Girelli returned to the starting lineup for their quarter-final, she wore a plain armband, despite her teammate Elena Linari having worn a rainbow one earlier in the tournament.

The French team has been the most vocal in explaining their decision. Captain Griedge Mbock Bathy suggested the rainbow armband’s specific focus on LGBTQ+ rights was too narrow for a squad with diverse views. “Highlighting a single issue also potentially excludes the others,” she said. “I think that the armband with the word ‘respect’ really represents what we want to convey as a message.”

This stance echoes the complex debates that surrounded the “One Love” armbands at the 2022 men’s World Cup in Qatar. There, FIFA banned the armbands, which were seen as a protest against the host nation’s laws on homosexuality, leading to accusations of censorship and player protests.

While the current situation at the Women’s Euros has not reached that level of confrontation, the differing choices have highlighted a clear divide in how national teams are approaching visible social advocacy on the pitch. For some, the rainbow armband is a necessary and powerful statement of inclusion. For others, a broader, more universal message of “respect” is seen as the more appropriate path. The result is that a symbol of unity has inadvertently become a marker of differing philosophies at the highest level of European football.