Luton Town has expressed their disappointment after the “betrayed by the FA 2008” message on a banner at Kenilworth Road was partially obscured during Monday night’s England Under-21’s match against Austria.
The banner references the 30-point deduction imposed on Luton for financial irregularities, leading to their relegation from the English Football League (EFL) in the 2008-09 season.
Luton said that the decision to fold the bottom of the flag, where the line is located, was made by the FA and not authorised by them.
In a statement, the Championship side emphasised the importance of the banner to both the club and its supporters.
“The ‘betrayed by the FA 2008’ message printed at the bottom section of the flag has a meaningful significance to our supporters and the club, as it is a representation of the most poignant event in the club’s history and is a symbolic relic of the largest points deduction the FA has issued any club,” they said.
“In agreeing to use Kenilworth Road for last night’s fixture, the club was obliged to hand the operation of the fixture and the club’s entire facility to the FA.
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“However, it was requested that the banner in question would remain in place.
“In the final build-up to the match, the FA asked for the flag to be taken down, a request that the club rejected.
“Instead, the corner was folded, which meant the flag remained in place, but the full extent of its meaning was compromised.
“This action was demanded by the FA and carried out by a member of club staff who didn’t appreciate the true significance of the action. Had the request been escalated it would have been declined.
“The club understands the subsequent reaction from the fanbase and is extremely disappointed the FA felt the need to hide the message.”
Luton spent five years in non-league football before climbing back through the divisions and securing a season in the Premier League in 2023-24.
The FA has been contacted for comment.
(Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
