Observant viewers of England's World Cup clash with Ghana may have spotted an oddly asymmetrical supporters' flag in the stands.A contingent of Barrow AFC enthusiasts found themselves compelled to obscure part of their St George's Cross with tape, leaving one quarter conspicuously bare.The issue centred on their flag's design, which incorporated the club's crest alongside a submarine outline an image deeply associated with the Cumbrian coastal town.FIFA, the tournament's governing body, insisted the maritime vessel be concealed.The CENSORED Barrow flag has made it in for tonights @England match!Predictions for the game, Bluebirds?#WeAreBarrow pic.twitter.com/F2B7nkWs9e Barrow AFC (@BarrowAFC) June 23, 2026 The world football authority cited its prohibition on military and weapons-related imagery as justification for the ruling.The dispute escalated to such an extent that it prompted intervention in the House of Commons.Supporters John Little and Lewis Watts expressed their frustration at what they considered an overly severe ruling, though both indicated they would endeavour to meet the requirements.Watts articulated the sentiment shared by many from the area: "It's just basically representing the town, we take pride from where we're from."He added: "For me [the submarine] it's not offensive."The submarine silhouette holds particular significance for Barrow-in-Furness, where shipbuilding and submarine construction form the backbone of the local economy.For these travelling fans, the emblem speaks not to military might but to community identity and the proud industrial heritage of their hometown.Michelle Scrogham, the Labour MP for the area, brought the matter before Parliament through an early day motion prior to the fixture.She argued forcefully that the symbol had been fundamentally misinterpreted by football's governing body."The submarine is not a political statement it reflects the generations of skilled workers who have built a world-class industry here in Barrow-in-Furness," the MP declared.The shipbuilding sector employs some 14,000 people in the town, representing a cornerstone of the local economy.FIFA's written response to Watts, which the BBC has obtained, stated plainly that the application failed because the design contained "imagery of weapons or military."The organisation indicated it would grant approval should the fans resubmit with the offending image covered.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter