Barrow Football Club have taken a tongue-in-cheek approach to a FIFA regulation that prevented a group of England supporters from entering the stadium with a St George's Cross flag featuring the club's crest. The incident occurred before the Three Lions' World Cup opener against Croatia at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where England won 4-2 thanks to goals from Harry Kane (two), Jude Bellingham, and Marcus Rashford.
FIFA's Military Imagery Rule Sparks Confusion
The National League club's crest includes a submarine as a tribute to Barrow-in-Furness's heritage in submarine construction. However, FIFA regulations prohibit military imagery on flags at matches, classifying submarines under that category. As a result, the supporters, including fan John Little, were barred from entering with their flag.
Little expressed his disbelief to the BBC, stating: "I couldn't believe it really, it's a little bit harsh that they've done it for something like that. I could understand like guns and knives and what have you, but not a submarine. People are just saying how ridiculous it is that they're not allowing the flag."
Barrow's Playful Response
In response, Barrow unveiled a temporary club badge for the World Cup duration with the submarine blurred out. The club posted on social media: "In order to make sure our supporter John Little can represent the Bluebirds over in Boston properly, we'd like to unveil our new *temporary club badge for the duration of the World Cup..."
Not stopping there, Barrow jokingly asked FIFA whether the arrow on their badge—which also features a red rose, a football, and a bee pierced by an arrow—needed removal as it technically constitutes a weapon. They added: "@FIFAcom let us know if the Arrow has to go too..."
One supporter stripped the badge further, removing the submarine, bee, and arrow, asking if that would work. Barrow responded: "Hayfever is a silent killer, we might have to lose the Rose."
What Happens Next?
FIFA informed the supporters' group that they could conceal the submarine and reapply for permission to bring the flag into the stadium for England's match against Ghana on Tuesday, June 23. Little confirmed they would do so. The quirky incident highlights the strict enforcement of FIFA's regulations, even for seemingly innocuous symbols like a submarine.
