News Focus
- England fans cannot hang flags over LED advertising boards at Dallas Stadium
- Only small flags are permitted and must be placed on rails behind the goals
- The England Supporters Club has arranged official banners, but casual fans face confiscation
- FIFA says the rules are for safety and security reasons
- Other stadiums have different rules, causing confusion among supporters
England supporters risk losing their flags when they attend the World Cup opening match against Croatia at Dallas Stadium this Wednesday. Stadium officials have told the England Supporters Club (ESC) that fans cannot hang flags over the electronic advertising boards around the pitch.
Only small flags will be allowed inside the ground. These must be hung on special rails located behind the goals. The ESC has organised several large banners for display in these areas. However, casual fans who bring their own flags will likely have them taken away at the entrance.
FIFA officials say these strict rules exist for “safety and security reasons”. The ban covers all flags hung over the LED signage that surrounds the playing area.
This is not the first time fans have faced problems at Dallas Stadium. During the 2-2 draw between the Netherlands and Japan on Sunday, several supporters from both nations had their flags confiscated. However, other stadiums hosting the tournament have allowed fans to bring flags inside without any trouble.
FIFA’s official guide for fans explains the rules clearly. It states that small flags, banners and posters made from fire-resistant material are permitted. Larger items need official approval before the match. The guide also bans any flags with political, offensive or discriminatory messages.
On Monday, FIFA won a court case in Los Angeles to stop Iran fans from bringing pre-revolutionary flags to matches. The court agreed these flags count as political symbols.
Ronan Evain, who leads Football Supporters Europe, watched the first game in Dallas. He criticised the inconsistent way staff apply the rules. “You could not really bring a flag inside, or at least you could not show it,” he said. “This does not match FIFA’s usual rules. It is also different from what happened at past tournaments. Staff removed most of the flags.”
Evain added that the lack of clear rules causes problems. “Many stadiums have not had this issue, so it is difficult to understand the real policy,” he explained. “FIFA seems to have little control. There is no consistent rule across the tournament. The code of conduct is very broad and never explains what symbols are allowed. Can you bring a flag from your city or club? No one knows for sure. The venues are learning as they go, but this creates confusion.”