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This really is a load of pish.  If I were a Gunners fan and English I'd be outraged at this.

http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/sport/4217987.Blackburn_Rovers_fans_St_George_s_flag_confiscated_in__racist_symbol__row/

STEWARDS confiscated football fans’ 10ft flag of St. George, claiming it could be viewed as a ‘racist symbol’.

The group of Blackburn Rovers supporters said they were left stunned by the actions of the officials at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

A Blackburn councillor, who is deputy chairman of national patriotic group the Royal Society of St George, said the ‘ridiculous move’ had prevented the fans ‘showing pride in their country’.

Arsenal FC said it had decided to ban all national flags following a row over a fan’s Turkish Cypriot flag in 2006.

Supporters from the Havelock Inn, Havelock Street, Mill Hill, unfurled their English flag, emblazoned with “Havelock Blues”, at the stadium before Saturday’s game.

David Iley, 24, of Bamber Bridge, a regular at the pub who arranged for the flag to be made, said: “When we got there we started putting it out, and the steward came up and told us we couldn’t.

“It never entered my head at first that the St George Cross wasn’t allowed. I thought it was just that we couldn’t put it there.

“So we hooked it over the hoardings at the front instead, and the next thing we know a steward was taking it away, saying it could be seen as a racist symbol.

“I couldn’t believe it. When we took it to Hull the stewards even helped us put it up. It’s the national flag and its absolutely stupid that Arsenal should ban it.”

Since it was made just a month ago, the flag had already travelled Hull and Fulham with the pub fans with no problems.

Spokesmen for Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool all confirmed that national flags were allowed at their home grounds .

Coun Williams slammed Arsenal.

He said: “We are planning a St George extravaganza on April 23, and giving out St George’s flags all over town, and yet we have those same English flags being confiscated. It’s ridiculous.

“The one thing we want people to be proud of is being English and people are taking more and more pride in their country.

“These people were expressing that pride in the right way, just like they should be able to do at any time and certainly at any national event.”

An Arsenal spokesman said the ban related a row in December 2006.

An Arsenal Turkish Cypriot season ticket holder riled Greek Cypriot fans by displaying his flag.

As a result, all national flags are now banned at the stadium.

Dan Tolhurst, communications manager at Arsenal, said: “Arsenal as a club prides itself on being inclusive with respect to all nationalities, cultural and ethnic groups.

“We have therefore decided that in order for all of our fans to enjoy their experience at Emirates Stadium, we are asking that only flags without any national emblems, are displayed within the stadium.”

He added that the ban was lifted for international matches at the ground.”

John Newsham, stadium safety manager at Blackburn Rovers, said: “We would never comment on the policy of other clubs in relation to flags.

“We have an open approach, providing the flags meet set criteria. For example, flags are vetted for any inappropriate wording which may be considered offensive by the club or any spectators and they must not be draped over emergency exit signs or advertising hoardings.”

Storm in a teacup.

No national flags of any sort are allowed in the stadium. If the steward had explained it better without using the word racist this wouldn't be a story.

+1

An incremental increase of 1

1. The Greek Cypriot supporters who were "riled" by the sight of another supporter's national flag were guilty of racism....not the flag.

2. Dan Tolhurst, communications manager at Arsenal, said: “Arsenal as a club prides itself on being inclusive with respect to all nationalities, cultural and ethnic groups.
If this was a fact rather than pointless PR blurb the Greek Cypriot supporters who didn't share this ethic would have been banned from the stadium.

3. [ ] Banning flags rather than racists solves the problem of racism

[  ] I believe the stewards said it was a racist symbol.

What if it had been the stewards at CP Rod?

They are *****!!

[  ] You clearly have an understanding of the situation in Cyprus

I have a clear understanding of the situation my friend. But if you have a greater understanding than me please explain how the situation in Cyprus gives Greek Cypriots supporting Arsenal a RIGHT to object to the mere existence of Turkish Cypriots supporting Arsenal at The Emirates? Just because problems exist abroad it doesn't mean one group of people can denounce another group...especially at a sporting event in England. Anyone has the right to support their origins...but it's when one group is hateful of another's pride in their origins that problems arise. Those problems effect everyone...cos now nobody can show pride in where they come from. If you think problems in Cyprus mean banning the St. George's cross from English sporting events is appropriate then you are free to explain why. Typical of this country that the haters have the power to spoil it for everyone...and banning flags isn't going to stop the haters James.

lol at your "The Greek Cypriot supporters who were "riled" by the sight of another supporter's national flag were guilty of racism"

Why are people not alowed to get riled when they see that flag? How does them getting riled make them racist? Why can't people object to something like that? People should be allowed to object to something like that...Arsenal FC would also have been in their right to tell those objecting that their objection would not be sustained.

I think saying that one groups hate of anothers pride in their origins is way off the mark. I think the hate comes down to an illegal invasion of a democratic country.

I can fully understand the Greek Cypriots anger (I am a Greek Cypriot) but nobody should be denied the right of free speech (even Mantis is free to talk s**t) and the banning of national flags is rediculous.

Ok, let's put it another way. As Brits should we get riled when we see muslim's wearing burkhas? Does war in Iraq and terrorism give us the right to get riled by symbols of islam and want them banned from our streets? I would say a muslim has every right to wear what they please. Just cos a small % of people are bad doesn't mean we should get riled by EVERY fecking person from that country. To make a fuss just because someone was born in a certain country or certain area of a country is childish and pathetic beyond belief. To chastise someone because of where they are from, not for what they are doing or saying IS racism I'm afraid. Tolerating each other for for our difference rather than getting riled by it is what we believe in isn't it? Banning flags, clothes or any other symbol of a person's country doesn't uphold that view at all imo.

1. The Greek Cypriot supporters who were "riled" by the sight of another supporter's national flag were guilty of racism....not the flag.

That is just wrong you see given the flag they were waiting does not represent any country at all, Northern Cyprus is not a nation therefore can't have a national flag.

tl;dr   but we're done now, yeah?

Some would say the same thing about the Palestine flag.

Guess not. 

ARSEnals.

some would. but are the terraces the place to be making political statements with no bearing on football?

Im a arsenal fan and im english and a season ticket holder but i couldnt give a fuck, let alone be outraged.

If someone wants to put an england flag up go and watch an england game, why do we want an england flag up at a premiership game. I dont even support the English national team, as I have said so before, but that is another argument im sure.

TBH I hate international football, I would rather it was scrapped. There is an international break now where the national team is playing 2 games, 2 games ffs and 1 of those is a fucking friendly. At this stage of the season players are playing twice a week who really wants to play an international friendly.

I'm not getting involved ill be classed as a racist

same here

Why do you not consider yourself as BRITISH?

Its not about what I or anyone else considers themselves to be, but its a sad day that when an English team's fans can't take the flag of their country to the football.  If the flag was offensive fair enough, but I don't see how anyone can be upset about the flag of St George at an English ground where an English team play.

And for the record I am not English.

You are British though :D

 ;yellowcard;

The international break is bad enough at this critical part of the season, but to have a friendly as well is absolutely ludicrous.

In a complete farce we have a league game this weekend yet two of our lads are unavailable as they are playing in U21 friendlies

marvellous


Will drag this thread back to the sports forum by hook or by crook I will.

when will the day come when opposing teams supporters are refused to wear their colours as not to upset/antagonise the home supporters..

The '3 away' rule applies to the league only, Wrexham have 4 away on international duty and their game hasn't been postponed yet, count yourself lucky!

Dual nationality tyvm sir.  :)

Thats a farce, club should put their foot down and say No.

How many players do you have be mising so you can get a postponment.  I think it used to be 3 not sure that has changed?

3, but loan players do not count (even if on season long loans)

JUst seen this, abs disgrace think Arsenal should be deducted points 10 initially and if Villa still don't start winning in the next few weeks then it should be upped to 20.