Luton Town left ‘extremely disappointed’ after bitter row with the FA over flag following England Under-21 game at Kenilworth Road
Luton Town are ‘very disappointed’ after a row with the English Football Association over a flag on Kenilworth Road.
The Hatters’ stadium was the scene of England Under-21s’ 4-1 victory over Austria on Monday.
Luton were forced to hide a message on a flag believed to have been hanging in the stadium’s main stand since 2008.
The flag reads: ‘Luton Town founded 1885. Betrayed by the FA 2008’.
The post refers to when the English Football Association (FA) imposed a 30-point penalty on Luton in 2008 for financial breaches, resulting in the club being demoted to professional status.
Luton Town are ‘bitterly disappointed’ after a row with the FA over a flag in Kenilworth Road
Luton had to cover part of the flag with the text: ‘Betrayed by the FA 2008’
Luton hosted the England Under-21s vs Austria match at Kenilworth Road on Monday
For Monday’s match, the text ‘Betrayed by the FA 2008’ had to be covered and the flag had to be folded.
A statement from the club read: ‘The message ‘Betrayed by the FA 2008’ at the bottom of the flag has significant meaning for our supporters and the club.
‘Because it is a reflection of the most poignant event in the club’s history and a symbolic remnant of the largest points deduction ever imposed on a club by the FA.’
Luton stated that they agreed to host the match on condition that the flag could remain flying.
They also revealed that the FA had asked for the flag to be removed in the run-up to the match.
Luton further stated: ‘In the lead-up to the match the FA requested that the flag be lowered, a request which the club refused.
‘Instead, the corner was folded over, which kept the flag in place but lost its meaning.
‘This action was demanded by the English Football Association and carried out by a member of staff of the club who failed to appreciate the true significance of the action.
Luton said they will only host future FA matches if ‘recognition is given to the club’s desire to recognise its history’.
“If the request had been pursued, it would have been denied.”
Luton also said they were ‘extremely disappointed that the FA felt they had to hide the message’.
Luton apologised to fans who were angry that the message was not shown.
Luton also said they will only host future FA matches if ‘there is assurance that the club’s wish to recognise its history will be respected’.
Luton eventually recovered from the heavy points drop of 2008 and spent last season in the Premier League before being relegated to the Championship.