Express & Star

England supporter flags stolen from stadium after World Cup match

Travelling fans have blamed Russians at the match for taking their custom-made flags and banners.

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England fans at Tunisia v England

England fans have appealed on social media after a number of custom-made flags were stolen from the Volgograd Arena following the World Cup game.

Dozens of England flags were hanging from the top tier of the 45,000-seater stadium during the Three Lions’ 2-1 win over Tunisia on Monday.

England flag
James Corfield’s flag was stolen (James Corfield/PA)

James Corfield, 27, from Stourbridge, and his dad Tim, 63, had taken their “Corfs on tour” flag, a St George’s Cross with a Wolverhampton logo on, to every away World Cup qualifier and friendly before the tournament.

He said: “They all just got taken as soon as the final whistle went. One minute they were there, next they were gone. No explanation and no sign of any.

“I think the Russians have a fascination with them. We were constantly asked to pose for photos with it all yesterday.”

And Jay Shaw, from Middlesbrough, said a flag he’d had since the previous World Cup and had taken it to almost every away game since, was stolen.

“It’s all been great so far apart from that at the end of the game,” the 25-year-old said.

“The England section was in the bottom tier but we were told we couldn’t hang flags down there, despite Tunisia fans having their display at the front at the opposite end.

“All England flags were put across the top tier which was a neutral section.

“With about five minutes left of the game there was a gap which housed about four or five flags, mine included. The majority of stewards spoke little to no English and clearly made no attempt to stop whoever had removed them.

“We’d had no issues whatsoever in the city centre, Russians had been asking for photos with the flags and generally the atmosphere has been brilliant, it’s just a shame that was allowed to happen in the stadium.”

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