A group of Barrow FC supporters found themselves barred from bringing their St George's Cross flag into Dallas Stadium for England's World Cup opener against Croatia on Wednesday.
The flag featured the National League club's crest, which includes a submarine honouring Barrow-in-Furness's proud shipbuilding heritage.
FIFA officials rejected the banner, citing regulations that prohibit military imagery at matches.
The governing body classified the submarine as falling within that category.
England fans have been left baffled after FIFA banned their flag because of a submarine
|REUTERS
Thomas Tuchel's side secured an impressive 4-2 victory, with Harry Kane netting twice alongside goals from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford.
Yet the flag controversy left the travelling Cumbrian contingent thoroughly perplexed.
Barrow responded to the peculiar ruling with characteristic wit, unveiling a modified version of their badge on social media.
The club posted a photoshopped crest with the submarine deliberately blurred out, announcing it as their "temporary club badge for the duration of the World Cup."
The Bluebirds did not stop there, however.
They cheekily enquired whether further amendments might be necessary, writing: "@FIFAcom let us know if the Arrow has to go too..."
The club's badge also features a bee pierced by an arrow, which could technically be deemed a weapon under FIFA's stringent interpretation.
One supporter stripped the badge back further, removing the submarine, bee and arrow entirely.
Barrow quipped in response: "Hayfever is a silent killer, we might have to lose the Rose."
Fan John Little, who made the journey to North America with the group, expressed his astonishment at the decision.
In order to make sure our supporter John Little can represent the Bluebirds over in Boston properly, we'd like to unveil our new *temporary club badge for the duration of the World Cup...@FIFAcom let us know if the Arrow has to go too...
— Barrow AFC (@BarrowAFC) June 19, 2026
🤦♂️ #WeAreBarrow https://t.co/1N1rTrd9Wq pic.twitter.com/VNhzrvsKse
Speaking to the BBC, he said: "I couldn't believe it really, it's a little bit harsh that they've done it for something like that."
Little drew a distinction between genuinely threatening items and the club's maritime emblem.
"I could understand like guns and knives and what have you, but not a submarine," he remarked.
He also noted the absurdity of the situation, adding: "People are just saying how ridiculous it is that they're not allowing the flag."
England fans have travelled in droves to North America to watch the World Cup
|REUTERS
The supporter pointed out that submarines are hardly accessible to ordinary citizens.
FIFA informed the supporters that they could conceal the submarine and submit a fresh application for approval.
The governing body indicated it would be willing to permit the flag into stadiums if the offending imagery were covered.
Little confirmed the group intended to take up this offer ahead of England's second group fixture.
The Three Lions face Ghana on Tuesday at the same venue, giving the Barrow contingent another opportunity to display their colours.
The incident has highlighted the rigid enforcement of FIFA's regulations, even when applied to symbols celebrating a town's industrial legacy rather than any military intent.