FIFA bars England fans from displaying Barrow AFC flag over submarine imagery at World Cup

FIFA has ordered a group of England fans to cover parts of their customised St George’s flag before they will be permitted to display it at matches during this summer’s World Cup, after the governing body ruled that imagery on the flag breaches its ban on military or weaponry symbols.

Barrow fan John Little had designed a personalised England flag incorporating the Barrow AFC club crest — which features a submarine silhouette — as well as an additional submarine image he added himself. FIFA informed Little that neither image is permitted inside tournament stadiums under its flag approval policy.

Little told the BBC he was taken aback by the ruling. “I couldn’t believe it really, it’s a little bit harsh that they’ve done it for something like that,” he said. “I could understand like guns and knives and what have you, but not a submarine.”

FIFA acknowledged the decision in its correspondence with Little, telling him: “We would be happy to approve, if you were willing and able to submit again with the imagery covered up.” The governing body confirmed the images are “not permitted under FIFA policy”.

The submarine has long been a defining symbol of Barrow, a town on the Cumbrian coast whose economy has historically been tied to shipbuilding and submarine construction at the BAE Systems yard. Its prominence on the club’s crest reflects that industrial heritage, making the flag a point of local pride for supporters travelling to the tournament.

Any flag or banner above a certain size must be submitted to FIFA for pre-approval before it can be brought into World Cup venues. Fans whose submissions are rejected are given the option to resubmit with offending imagery obscured, as Little has been advised to do.