Tottenham Hotspur moves Progress Pride flag ahead of Slavia Prague match

Tottenham Hotspur’s LGBTQ+ fans have voiced disappointment after the club’s rainbow Progress Pride flag was moved from its customary position ahead of the Champions League match against Slavia Prague on Tuesday evening. The relocation prompted strong reactions from the official Spurs supporters’ group, Proud Lilywhites.

The flag, traditionally displayed in the north‑east corner of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium near the away end, was instead relocated to the south‑west corner at the behest of Slavia Prague, who raised concerns about potential hostility from their supporters if it remained in its usual spot. Tottenham subsequently complied, citing “security grounds” after UEFA approved the request. 

Proud Lilywhites described the move as “disappointing” and a stark reminder of the abuse and hostility LGBTQ+ fans continue to encounter amidst European football crowds. They emphasised: “The risk here isn’t the flag. It’s the reaction of a small number of opposition supporters”.

Nevertheless, the group acknowledged the club’s transparent handling of the situation. They confirmed that Tottenham had pushed back where possible and reinforced that the relocation resulted from the visiting team’s request—not any internal decision to downplay Spurs’ inclusive values. 

Despite their disappointment, Proud Lilywhites remain committed to visibility and solidarity. In their statement, they rallied fans to support the team undeterred, declaring: “This is our home. Our community belongs here. No visiting team gets to change that … Tonight let’s get behind the team and show the opposition that at our stadium we play with Pride. COYS.” 

This isn’t the first time Tottenham have moved the rainbow flag in response to concerns in European competition. The club made a similar decision during a Europa League match against Eintracht Frankfurt last season, and in 2022, Marseille fans were reported to have deliberately torn down the flag following unrest. The club stated that the relocation against Slavia Prague was made reluctantly, following a safety assessment by UEFA.