TOTTENHAM have moved the rainbow flag inside their ground – on the request of tonight’s opponents Slavia Prague.
Spurs host Czech side Slavia in the Champions League league phase on Tuesday evening.
In the North-East corner of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next to the away supporters, Spurs have a rainbow flag to show support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Slavia asked for the flag to be moved on security grounds.
Spurs made representation to keep it in its current place but have reluctantly accepted to move it on account of potential safety issues.
The flag will now be hung from the south-west corner of the stadium instead.
A Tottenham spokesperson said: “The flag has been relocated at the request of the visiting team to UEFA on security grounds.”
This is not the first time this has happened for European games at Spurs.
Last season’s hosting of Eintracht Frankfurt saw the same thing happen.
In a statement addressing fans, Spurs’ LGBTQ+ fan group Proud Lilywhites said: “We are of course frustrated.
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“You don’t get to come to our house and dictate what’s acceptable, let alone kick off about a flag that represents our own community. But here we are.
“We wanted to be sure that you know that this is an opposition team request and no reflection of the club’s commitment to the Proud Lilywhites.”
A Slavia spokesperson said: “The flag with Tottenham symbols would have been placed directly in the section reserved for our fans at that moment.
“For this reason, it was temporarily moved in another place in the stadium and with an agreement with the home club.
“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.”
Thomas Frank has made a last-minute change to his squad ahead of facing Slavia.
Mathys Tel has replaced Dominic Solanke, who is still not back to full fitness.
If Spurs win against Slavia, they will be on 11 points and in a very good position to qualify for February’s play-off round in the Champions League.
