FeedThe ‘There’s A Ban On England Shirts During the World Cup Because It Offends Muslims/Immigrants’ Myth
January 1, 2000 in 1MU Mythbuster - Fascist Myths Exposed
The Myth
Police officers have been going into public houses and informing England football fans they are not permitted to wear England football shirts and strip during the World Cup in case it offends Muslims and immigrants.
Similar stories abound during important matchesand tournaments stating that England flags are also being banned.
The rumour mill obviously hasn't reached these fans yet.
The Truth
This is another one that the tabloids like to trot out every year, and the BNP et al like to get behind and report as fact. Ther is not and never has been a solitary jot of evidence to suggest that any such bannings have ever occured, or ever would.
We’re going to let a recent article by Liberal Conspiracy take this one on our behalf:
A bizarre rumour has kicked off on Facebook (thanks @gjcsouthsea for this).
Hundreds of people are copying and pasting this on to their Facebook status:
Police are going round all pubs and club saying we cant wear our england tops and we have to take our england flags down, as its offending people that arnt from england! Now im NOT racist… but this is taking the piss.. This is england and we need to make a stand!! Would you remove your turban if it offended me? NO! we need to stick together, repost this as your status and make your stand!
You can see people posting this on Facebook via OpenBook.org.
Is there any truth to this?
Searching various websites and news stories, I came to this Sun story in April: ENGLAND shirts could be BANNED at pubs screening live World Cup matches.
Apparently the Met police sent a letter to some pubs in Croydon with “guidance” notes.
Among World Cup guidance, it suggests “dress code restrictions – eg no football shirts”.
It also urges using plastic glasses and door staff. Pubs are not obliged to follow the advice, but it warns: “Police will not hesitate to use powers under the Licensing Act should we find you are not actively supporting the prevention of crime.”
This is all reported in the Sun story, but it is still titled ‘Police are trying to ban’ football shirts when that clearly isn’t the case.
It is however true that the Licensing Act gives police too much power to shut down local events. I made the same case when the Met used the Licensing Act’s Form 696 to stop black and Asian music live events across London.
Anyway, the point is that the story is bogus. There was no ban on wearing these tops whatsoever.
And yet it’s now become an urban myth travelling across Facebook at frightening speed.
Look, I have a brother who wears a turban and I have friends who wear hijabs – I’ve never once heard anyone ask for a ban on wearing England tops. I have a turbaned mate who wears England tops himself!
If you want to blame anyone, blame the police for abusing their powers.
Thanks to Liberal Conspiracy.
© One Million United
May 21st, 2010 at 4:46 pm
The most disgraceful thing about this total lie is that it will mean more drunken assaults on immigrants during the world cup. Whoever approved this story should hang their head in shame.
May 21st, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Absolutely; this sort of rubbish is so damaging. The gutter elements of the press really do have a lot to answer for.
January 4th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
It’s funny how the Police asking pubs “not to allow football shirts” turns into “not to allow England football shirts”. The Press excel themselves. Again.