Reaction to incident during England U21s game: Luton Town has expressed its “disappointment” with the
Football Association’s controversial decision to obscure part of a flag during last night’s England U21s international match against Austria U21s at Kenilworth Road. The flag, which reads “Luton Town Est 1885 Betrayed by the FA 2008,” is hung in the Main Stand section of the ground. Since the Hatters were docked an unprecedented 30 points by the FA and the Football League ahead of the 2008–09 season, effectively sending them into non-league football with no realistic chance of ever overcoming the deficit.
The ‘Betrayed by the FA’ article was unveiled ahead of last night’s match, which infuriated Town supporters on social media. The Loyal Luton Supporters Club expressed their shock at what had happened, while the Luton Town Supporters’ Trust demanded an apology from the FA. Now, Luton has commented on their official website as well, saying that they would be pleased to host a match like this again, but only if their stadium is left intact. They claim it was an outside decision.
The statement said as follows: “Luton Town Football Club would like to clarify the situation about the flag folding that occurred yesterday night at Kenilworth Road during the England Under-21 international without permission in the corner of the Main Stand. For our supporters and the Club, the word “Betrayed by the FA 2008” emblazoned at the bottom of the flag holds great significance, as it symbolizes the most heartbreaking incident in the Club’s history and serves as a symbolic reminder of the biggest points deduction the FA has ever imposed on a Club.
“Over time, the Club’s standing with the FA has improved to the point where matches like the England U21 international last night could be held at Kenilworth Road. These kinds of activities benefit the Club’s local community, especially the younger supporters who live there, and the Club hopes to host more of them once it moves into Power Court.
“The Club was required to turn over all of its facilities, including the deployment of England branding around the stadium, to the FA as part of their specification when they agreed to use Kenilworth Road for last night’s match. But it was asked that the banner in question stay where it was, as it did on March 23, the day the FA Women’s National League Cup final was held at Kenilworth Road.
“The Club denied the FA’s request to have the flag taken down during the last moments leading up to the game. Rather, the corner was folded, maintaining the flag’s position but compromising its entire significance. The FA demanded this move, which was carried out by a club employee who was unaware of its actual importance.
“The request would have been turned down if it had been escalated. The Club is aware of the fan base’s subsequent response and is deeply saddened that the FA felt the need to conceal the message, which is also a poignant one.a segment of its own past. We sincerely apologize to the flag’s owners as well as any of our fans who were hurt by the point deductions; we will never forget what transpired.
“In the end, the FA’s extremely late insistence on staging the match determined the outcome rather than the Club. In conclusion, the Club hopes to be able to organize comparable games at Kenilworth Road in the future, but only if it can be guaranteed that the Club’s aspirations to honor its past are honored.
