Football body UEFA has banned a popular song from the European Football Championships in Germany due to its association with xenophobic sentiments.
The move followed a fad by German youths, who adapted the 24-year-old Eurodance hit L’amour Toujours. The additional lyrics included “Germany for Germans” and “foreigners out” during parts of the tune.
The song was initially chosen by the Austrian national football team to be played after their matches. The hit, often a staple at so-called après-ski party events, had seemed a suitable way to celebrate.
But the newly associated anti-migration messaging clearly makes it unpalatable for both the International Football Association, which prides itself on its “progressive” and “inclusive” values, and national football federations.
The Austrian Football Association said: “The Federation is very clear in its defence of tolerance, diversity and integration and is committed to respectful co-existence in all areas of society. After the recent incidents and its misuse, the song will not be played at international matches of the national team.”
The creator of the song, Italian music producer Gigi D’Agostino, was contacted by Der Spiegel to comment on the controversy. He said his piece was “made as a hymn to love” and was meant “to connect people”.
User comments have now been disabled on the song’s YouTube video site. This year’s edition of the Munich Oktoberfest said it also planned to ban the song.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently spoke out publicly against it, condemning “disgusting and unacceptable” slogans surrounding the tune.
The first match of the Euros sees Germany playing Scotland in Munich.
A hard-right Eurodance craze is rapidly spreading through Germany, despite attempts by the political mainstream to threaten would-be partygoers with job loss, fines and potential prison time. https://t.co/XCQzvCpITc
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) May 30, 2024
