England fans were forced to remove flags from certain areas of the ground at their World Cup opener against Croatia.
Thomas Tuchel’s side got their campaign off to the perfect start with a 4-2 victory at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Wednesday evening (BST).
Ahead of kick-off, several supporters got into position early and attempted to hang their St George’s flags, a tradition England fans are known for at major tournaments.
However, as many of these were covering official FIFA hoardings, something that the governing body have banned, stewards intervened and forced the fans to remove them.
According to The Telegraph, they threatened to confiscate the flags if they weren’t taken down, a stance that was said to leave several supporters ‘appalled’.
One fan from London called Dan, who had an 8ft x 5ft Arsenal and England flag, said: ‘For the amount of money we have paid it is a joke. But what can you do? It is another occasion where football fans are getting treated like cattle.’
Several England fans were forced to remove their flags ahead of the clash against Croatia
FIFA have banned any flags that cover official FIFA hoardings for this summer’s World Cup
Another group of supporters tried to put up a Birmingham City-inspired England flag, but were similarly denied permission by stewards, who were insistent that it must be taken down.
One official was reported to say: ‘Unfortunately the people put in charge don’t want anybody to have flags here.
‘I am going to make everybody take the flags down. Those are the rules. You guys have to take the flags down.’
Following a stand-off, they added: ‘We are going to have to take the flags off you. No flags. That is FIFA. Those are the rules. If you don’t remove them they will make us do it.’
FIFA’s strategy follows their increasingly strict approach to controlling aesthetics and branding at recent tournaments.
On Wednesday, flags were only allowed to be hung from four corners of the ground, but these were high up and not in shot of the TV cameras.
Many of the hoardings that the banned flags were originally covering are dominated by brightly-lit digital displays.
FIFA and stadiums chief say that these can’t be covered due to ‘safety and security’ reasons.
Flags were only allowed to be hung from four corners of the ground, but these were high up and not in shot of the TV cameras
It is understood that the hoardings could be used to share instructions in case of an emergency.
Nevertheless, that ban comes despite large 15-foot FIFA gold signs being hung beneath the roof of every host stadium.
Meanwhile, in FIFA’s official guidance for fans attending games, they said: ‘Small flags, banners and posters made of a fire-resistant material are allowed in the stadium. Larger flags, banners, posters or instruments must be approved in advance.’
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