FIFA's ban on flags showing Barrow AFC's crest at World Cup 2026
Tabled 22 June 2026 by Michelle Scrogham
That this House notes with concern FIFA’s decision to refuse permission for supporters of Barrow AFC to display a flag bearing the club’s historic crest at the FIFA World Cup on the grounds that the badge includes the image of a submarine and therefore falls within FIFA’s restrictions on military or weapon-related imagery; recognises that the submarine depicted on the crest is a longstanding symbol of Barrow-in-Furness and reflects the town’s unique shipbuilding heritage and its internationally renowned role in the design and construction of submarines for the Royal Navy; further notes that the crest is an expression of local identity, community pride and industrial heritage rather than a political statement or endorsement of conflict; acknowledges the generations of workers, engineers, apprentices and skilled tradespeople whose efforts have contributed to the prosperity and character of the town; believes that sporting bodies should distinguish between historic civic symbols and imagery intended to promote violence or military activity; and calls on FIFA to review its decision, engage constructively with Barrow AFC and its supporters, and adopt a more proportionate approach that respects the cultural and historical significance of community emblems while maintaining its commitment to ensuring that football remains open and welcoming to all.