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Camden Sports - by TOM FOOT
Published: 2 April 2009

Arsenal flags ban to be waived

National colours to be welcomed back to the Emirates after fans’ pressure

ARSENAL bosses have announced their unpopular ban on fans waving national flags inside the Emirates Stadium is to be dropped.
The Gunners made the ruling back in 2006 after one season ticket holder waved a Turkish flag in front of a Cypriot fan.
But following a recent meeting with supporters’ groups, the ban has now been lifted.
Ben Dimech, a spokesman for the REDaction fans group, said: “Since the flag ban, we have received dozens of emails from fans who were incensed at the club for banning national flags based on one isolated incident.
“We’re glad that the club have now listened to their fans and the supporters groups who work with them. We hope that the fans’ voices continue to be heard.”
It was felt the flags could incite racism between rival fans, but in a complete turnaround the club now say they believe that flags will help promote multi-culturalism.
An Arsenal spokesman said: “The club has listened to our supporters on this issue and, based on their input in recent weeks, has decided to revise this policy.”
Meanwhile, the power struggle for control of Arsenal Football Club has reached fever pitch after Stan Kroenke spent £42.5million boosting his stake. The American sports tycoon bought 5,000 shares at £8,500 apiece from Gunners director Danny Fiszman.
“After having been invited to join the board last year I am delighted to be able to increase my shareholding in Arsenal,” said Kroenke.
He now owns 20.5 per cent of the club and is the second biggest shareholder behind Alisher Usmanov, whose Red and White Holdings group owns 25 per cent.

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