Fifa bans football club's submarine badge on flag

A group of football fans supporting England at the World Cup were left baffled when they were told they could not display a flag containing their team's badge because it has a submarine on it.

The Barrow supporters included the club badge and an additional silhouette of the military vessel, which is synonymous with the Cumbrian town, on a flag of St George.

But when they sought permission to take the flag to matches, competition organiser Fifa - who have been contacted for comment - said military or weaponry images were not allowed and turned down their bid.

Fan John Little called the decision "harsh" and added: "It's not like you can go down to the local Walmart and buy a submarine is it."

Fans who want to display a flag in stadiums during the World Cup must submit an application and receive approval from Fifa.

When Little's friend Lewis Watts received the response to the application, the friends' WhatsApp Group and social media pages received stunned responses.

Little, who is heading to Boston for England's match against Ghana on Tuesday, said: "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.

Fifa told the group they can cover up the submarine and resubmit the application, which Little said they would try to do.

In the response sent to Watts, which was seen by the BBC, Fifa said: "The application was rejected because the item includes imagery of weapons or military (submarine).

"These are not permitted under FIFA policy. We would be happy to approve, if you were willing and able to submit again with the imagery covered up."

Barrow is renowned for its submarine and shipbuilding history, an industry that still employs thousands of people there.