UK Prime Minister Theresa May has reportedly commented on the ban by the Royal Mail postal service, which announced it wouldn't allow St. George's flags flown on its vehicles.
A spokesman for Mrs. May said that she "believes everybody should be able to show their support" for Gareth Southgate's team, and she "hopes for a way to be found to allow people to do that," according to The Telegraph.
Reactions to the statement and the ban poured on social media.
Only in #England is it regarded to be offensive to fly the National flag. In almost every other country (I include #Wales & #Scotland) it is regarded as patriotic
— Neil Asher (@NeilNeilasher) June 15, 2018
In the #USA it is almost mandatory to have the flag flying in your garden.
Our brave leader.
— F**Ke EU (@FawkeEU) June 15, 2018
Liar May really wants the postmen to fly EU flags because she is a Remainer.
— Max Gomila (@max1e6) June 15, 2018
Remember this important point: Staying in the EU means that the UK will eventually become part of a federal super state — the UK won't exist anymore as a sovereign country.
It’s some sad state of affairs when a country’s own leader is somehow given faint praise (despite protests & objections from some quarters) for supporting the people of the country flying their own country flag during a sporting event.
— AsiaFlyer (@asiaflyer888) June 15, 2018
Stop the f******g world, I want to get off
Then pass a law
— rose garden (@Vernon4Vernon) June 15, 2018
It is not an offence to fly your flag
British and proud
We are proud of our country and the Saint George Cross should be flow anywhere people wish to fly it in England. It is our national flag for gods sake.
— ActiveForPlymouth (@Active4Plymouth) June 14, 2018
Right now.. embarrassed at what England has become..
— Obi #MPsNeedBalls (@ObiWokKanobe) June 15, 2018
Royal Mail's policy has been in place for several years, and according to the company spokesperson "it has a duty of care both to all employees and to members of the public" so the flags "should not be flown on vehicles." National insignia could be hazardous if removed from the vans, the service said.
England is the only UK team that qualified for the 2018 World Cup. The Three Lions supporters in the UK are set to watch their team play against Tunisia on June 18 in their first World Cup match.