| Some of our fans have been upset with the flying of certain flags denoting particular regions of the world. 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 in support of Arsenal Football Club, without any national emblems, are displayed within the stadium. We will be implementing this policy with immediate effect. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. |
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Since Saturday there has been a certain amount of press interest on the topic and it has certainly raised a few eyebrows. After searching around the numerous Arsenal blogs a number of facts have come to light that help explain the situation.
It appears that the flag in question was a Turkish Cypriot flag flown by a single Arsenal season ticket holder on the upper level of the green quadrant. A group of Greek Cypriot Arsenal fans took offence to the flag and complained to Arsenal, who took the decision to ban all national flags within the stadium. I'm pretty sure that will include the Cross of St. George and the Union Jack, which is crazy.
I sit across from the Turkish Cypriot fan and make a point each week to look around the stadium for flags from different countries. I am proud that we are a multicultural club with players and fans from all over the world and I enjoy looking around the stadium to see the flags. To date this season I have seen Irish, Dutch, Italian, Swedish and American flags being displayed by Arsenal fans. In the away fans section I have seen German, Portuguese, Russian, Israeli and Croatian flags. Without wishing to be controversial, it must be said that a number of these countries have an amount of political turmoil in the 20th century. Do we ban their flags too?
Will Arsenal Football Club ban all away fans from displaying their national flags?
What view will UEFA have on this if they try to enforce it?
How would the travelling Arsenal fans react if they were refused the right to display their George Crosses or Union Jacks?
What message are the club sending out by succumbing with this knee-jerk reaction to a handful of fans?
Would the club bans fans from up the Seven Sisters Road from wearing their lillywhite shirts when they came to visit just because a few fans complained about it?
Shouldn't the club be encouraging multiculturalism rather than choosing to stick its head in the sand and pretending nothing is happening? I'm embarrassed to say that the club are too weak to deal with this in a more appropriate manner.
I am not using this post to pass judgement on the political situation in Cyprus, nor am I intending to disrespect either country, however, I do not believe the Grove is the place to air these grievances. The British High Commission to Cyprus is based in Nicosia in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, although Turkey is the only country to recognise the state at this time. My concern is that if we take away a fan's right to display a national flag in club football, then what happens at London 2012 or Euro 2008?
I believe in the integrity of Arsenal Football Club and I do not believe it is run by a board of directors who choose to legislate by disaster. I challenge them to confront this scandal with wisdom and sensitivity before they set a politically charged precedent that could become a millstone around their necks.
