Tottenham Hotspur’s LGBTQ+ supporters group, the Proud Lilywhites, has criticised the club’s decision to relocate its Progress Pride flag during Tuesday night’s match against Slavia Prague, citing it as another example of the challenges queer fans face across European football.
The flag, usually displayed in the north-east corner of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, was moved for the 9 December UEFA fixture, which Spurs won. According to the club, the relocation occurred “at the request of the visiting team to UEFA on security grounds.”
Slavia Prague responds to backlash
In a statement provided to the BBC, Slavia Prague explained their position, claiming the Pride flag — which includes Tottenham symbols — was positioned directly within the designated away section.
“For this reason, it was temporarily moved to another place in the stadium and with an agreement with the home club,” they said.
“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.”
Proud Lilywhites say the issue isn’t the flag — it’s the reaction
In response, the Proud Lilywhites rejected the justification, saying the decision highlights deeper problems around LGBTQ+ visibility in football culture.
“The risk here isn’t the flag. It’s the reaction of a small number of opposition supporters,” the group said.
“That’s disappointing, and it’s another reminder of the hostility LGBTQI+ fans still face across European football.”
While the group acknowledged the safety concerns, they stressed that the relocation should remain a one-off and not set a precedent.
“Moments like today show exactly why visibility matters. LGBTQI+ fans shouldn’t have to shrink to make others feel comfortable.”
The group reaffirmed their commitment to challenging prejudice, not hiding from it.
