Fans forced to cover up town emblem amid flag row
Lewis WattsEagle-eyed spectators watching England's World Cup match against Ghana might have noticed a lack of symmetry in one of the fan flags because of a row which involved a motion in Parliament.
A group of Barrow AFC fans were forced to tape over their town's emblem from a St George's flag, meaning one quarter of it was left unusually blank.
This was because it featured the team's badge with an additional silhouette of a submarine, which is synonymous with the Cumbrian town.
But tournament organiser Fifa, which has been approached for comment, told them the vessel would have to be hidden, as military or weapons imagery were not allowed on flags.
Fans John Little and Lewis Watts said ahead of the match they felt the decision had been harsh, though they would try and comply with the guidelines.
"It's just basically representing the town, we take pride from where we're from," Watts said.
"For me [the submarine] it's not offensive."
SuppliedThe area's MP Michelle Scrogham even raised the issue in the UK Parliament ahead of the match with an early day motion, calling for the fans to be able to show off the symbol.
The Labour MP said: "The submarine is not a political statement it reflects the generations of skilled workers who have built a world-class industry here in Barrow-in-Furness."
The town is renowned for its submarine and shipbuilding history, which employs 14,000 people.
Scrogham said Fifa's decision showed it had misunderstood the true meaning of the emblem.
In the response sent to Watts, which the BBC has seen, Fifa said: "The application was rejected because the item includes imagery of weapons or military (submarine).
"These are not permitted under FIFA policy. We would be happy to approve, if you were willing and able to submit again with the imagery covered up."
