EU Sports Takeover Bid

Date published: 05 February 2012

Following a controversial vote in favour of British sports stars wearing the EU flag on their kit, Bury MEP Paul Nuttall has reacted angrily to the plan.

Mr Nuttall, a former footballer with Tranmere Rovers, asked, “Are we now going to see the EU flag at the British Olympics or at the Champions League final or even on the shirt of the England captain?

“This is nothing more than sheer EU propaganda and vanity. The EU has never been so unpopular but here they are wanting to stamp their flag on sporting stars in the hope they can force the people to love them - but they won’t.’’

“I think this move breaks the ban on sports bodies’ using political slogans on sports kit – because the EU is in effect a political organisation.

“Athletes proudly wear the flag of their own national countries. They should not wear the flag of the European Union,” said Mr Nuttall, UKIP deputy leader.

“This absurd proposal is little more than propaganda but it clearly shows how far the unelected mob in Brussels is prepared to go in order to interfere with every area of our lives.

“A nation’s football, cricket or rugby team should only display their national flag, not an EU symbol representing an unaccountable and increasingly unwanted superstate.’’

The proposal is now to go to the European Commission to consider how to draw up legislation to put before member states for approval.

“There is no way that our Government can go along with this plan, they must put their foot down firmly and kick this idea into touch,” said Mr Nuttall.