Tottenham Hotspur have moved an LGBT+ flag from the away supporters' area of their stadium to the south-west corner ahead of this evening's Champions League encounter with Slavia Prague.
The Czech side requested the relocation through UEFA, citing security concerns regarding the behaviour of their travelling supporters should the flag remain in its usual position.
The progress pride flag, which incorporates the Spurs crest alongside LGBTQ+ colours, ordinarily occupies the north-east corner where visiting fans are housed.
Reports state that the north London club initially resisted the request before reluctantly agreeing to the compromise arrangement on safety grounds.
Tottenham fans have been ordered to take down the LGBT flag
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The Proud Lilywhites, Tottenham's LGBTQ+ supporter group, responded with frustration to the decision.
In a statement to members, the group declared: "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."
The supporters' organisation emphasised that the move reflected "an opposition team request and no reflection of the club's commitment to the Proud Lilywhites."
One member of the group characterised the relocation as "a capitulation to people who are scared of LGBT people."
Several flag owners have reportedly chosen to boycott this evening's fixture in protest.
Several Tottenham fans have boycotted tonight's match
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A Tottenham spokesperson confirmed: "The flag has been relocated at the request of the visiting team to UEFA on security grounds."
Slavia Prague offered their own explanation for the request, with a club spokesperson stating: "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."
The Czech club described the arrangement as "a logical step based on respect for the space reserved for visiting fans."
Neither club has elaborated on the precise nature of the safety concerns involved.
The Czech club has faced repeated disciplinary action from European football's governing body in recent seasons.
The Proud Lilywhites, Tottenham's LGBTQ+ supporter group responded with a furious statement
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In February, UEFA fined Slavia Prague and ordered sections of their stadium closed following racist behaviour from supporters during a Europa League match against Anderlecht.
The club was also sanctioned in April 2024 for crowd violence during their Europa League tie with AC Milan.
Earlier this year, the Prague outfit received a €35,000 fine for racist chanting during another fixture against the Belgian side.
This evening's match represents a crucial juncture in Tottenham's Champions League campaign as they seek automatic qualification to the knockout rounds.