Tim Sherwood will reckon this is “pwopah ow uv owda.”
A group of Aston Villa supporters had raised £3,000 for this giant flag, which adheres to all the necessary stadium dimensions, to bring to Wembley but it all looks to have been in vain as the FA have banned it from the ground.
The rationale behind the FA ban is that the flag features the name of Villa’s opponents which isn’t allowed.
Villa supporter group My Old Man Said, who funded the production of the surfer flag, released the following statement on the situation.
“The surfer though has since been banned by Wembley simply because it contains the name of the opposition, despite the name only being used because Villa happen to be playing them in the final and it’s a necessary part of the design.
“The flag is a direct appropriation of the infamous Sex Pistols album and reads ‘Never mind the Arsenal here’s the Aston Villa’.
“While there’s a slight edge of humour there, it’s not disrespectful in the slightest to Arsenal fans, as the intention behind the flag was to announce to the world with some bravado that Villa are back!
“We have asked the FA for the rules and a risk assessment of this flag going to Wembley, but no such evidence has been presented to us.”
My Old Man Said launched an online petition to see the ban overturned and they have received the backing of the Football Supporters Federation who agree that “it isn’t offensive, isn’t discriminatory nor is it inflammatory… This banner should be allowed into Wembley.”
The fan group have also received support from Arsenal fans who, for the most part, take no offence with the flag.
To sign the petition, come right this way.
