After Sylt incident
UEFA bans “L’amour toujours” at the European Championship
01.06.2024, 16:25
The images have outraged the whole of Germany: visitors to a bar on Sylt are chanting “Foreigners out” and “Germany for the Germans” to the tune of the party hit “L’amours toujours”. This now has consequences for the upcoming European Championships. Austria will have to do without the song in its playlist.
Following the recent racism scandal in Germany, UEFA has banned the Austrian Football Association from playing the song “L’amours toujours” at the European Championships. Media director Christian Wiesmayr confirmed a corresponding report by the portal “profil.at”. “The ÖFB clearly stands for tolerance, diversity and integration and is committed to respectful coexistence in all areas of society. Following the recent incidents of misuse, the song will not be played at ÖFB international matches,” the ÖFB said.
The Austrians had celebrated major victories with the song by Italian artist Gigi D’Agostino, and the song was regularly played immediately after the final whistle, the portal wrote. That’s why the football association had it on its playlist for the European Championship, which it had to submit to UEFA for approval at the end of March. A few days ago, UEFA informed the ÖFB that the song could not be played.
A video showing visitors to a bar on Sylt singing along to the party hit “Foreigners out” and “Germany for the Germans” caused great outrage in recent days. State security is investigating. The song is repeatedly used for racist slogans.
It is also not yet clear whether the 1980s classic “Major Tom” by Peter Schilling will be played when Germany scores goals at the European Championships. According to dpa information, the so-called goal anthems at the Euros are the same for all teams and are part of the official song of the 2024 European Championships. In addition, the participating national associations were able to make suggestions for songs for the warm-up and after the final whistle.