Luton Town has conveyed its ‘disappointment’ over the recent decision by the Football Association to conceal a portion of a flag during the England U21s match against Austria U21s at Kenilworth Road. The flag in question, bearing the message ‘Luton Town Est 1885 Betrayed by the FA 2008,’ has remained a fixture in the Main Stand since the Hatters faced an unprecedented 30-point deduction by the FA and the Football League in 2008, leading to their relegation into non-league football.
Prior to the match, the segment of the flag stating ‘Betrayed by the FA’ was rolled up, sparking anger among Town fans on social media. The Loyal Luton Supporters Club expressed being ‘dismayed’ by this action, while the Luton Town Supporters’ Trust demanded an apology from the FA. In response, Luton Town has now addressed the matter on their official website, indicating that the decision was beyond their control. The club emphasized its willingness to host such fixtures in the future but asserted that their stadium should remain untouched.
The club’s statement clarified that the ‘Betrayed by the FA 2008’ message on the flag holds significant importance to both the supporters and the club, symbolizing a critical moment in the club’s history. Despite the strained relationship with the FA following that event, Luton Town has opened its doors to events like the recent England U21 international, seeing them as positive contributions to the local community and the club’s future plans at Power Court.
While agreeing to host the recent fixture at Kenilworth Road, the club had to relinquish operational control to the FA, necessitating England branding throughout the stadium. Despite this, the club had requested that the flag remain untouched, citing its presence during a prior FA Women’s National League Cup final at the same venue in March.
Leading up to the game, the Football Association made a request for a flag to be removed, a request that was denied by the Club. Instead, the flag was folded on a corner, compromising its full significance. This directive came from the FA and was executed by a Club staff member who didn’t fully grasp the importance of the gesture.
The Club would have refused the request if it had been escalated. Consequently, they understand the backlash from fans and are disheartened by the FA’s decision to mask a message that holds historical significance. They remain remorseful to supporters offended by the action and to the flag’s owners. It’s crucial to note that this was not the Club’s choice but a last-minute demand from the FA for the match. Looking ahead, the Club is open to hosting similar events at Kenilworth Road, under the condition that the Club’s commitment to honoring its history is respected.