Monday, April 23, 2018
England fans told to furl the flag at World Cup. With tensions raised, a police chief is warning that displays of loyalty, including provocative songs, could be dangerous
There are also various bans on Old Glory but this seems even more extreme
England football fans could be denied some of their greatest pleasures at this summer’s World Cup. Supporters who enjoy draping the St George’s Cross over public spaces in other people’s countries while singing Ten German Bombers are being told: “Don’t!”
Police chiefs have warned travelling fans not to sing provocative songs or display the national flag at this summer’s tournament in Russia.
Mark Roberts, the national lead for football policing, says the deterioration in relations between the West and Russia means risqué songs are more likely than usual to trigger violence.
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6 comments:
I'm quite sure that if the world cup was in England, the Russian fans would be given the same warning---NOT
"Allahu Akbar!" however, is encouraged.
Same here in America where the sight of Old Glory offends snowflakes with those annoying high pitched whining voices that great on our nerves like fingernails on a blackboard
Bit of a storm in a teacup.
The flag isn't banned - this is just friendly advice given the state of current tensions.
This is an example of a "heckler's veto." YOU shouldn't say or do something not because it's "wrong," "illegal," or "immoral," but because OTHERS might react violently. It's not "friendly advice," it's state sponsored suppression of speech. It's an admission by governing authorities that they do not take the threat of violence seriously enough to warn their own citizens that ANY violence will be matched by appropriate, swift, and consistent police response. Russia doesn't have any problem controlling protests and anti-government demonstrators, but apparently football fans are beyond their ability to cope.
Seriously Stan - a travel advisory is now state sponsored suppression of speech?
If this is a heckler's veto it is a bloody mild one. You can take and wave any flag you want. There is no restriction on this. However, you need to be aware that you will not be receiving a personal security detail.
I have no doubt violence will be punished - and probably harshly - but that doesn't mean that it won't happen.
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