Football fans in Southampton cover their houses with banners in rebellion against the council

Football fans in Southampton are rebelling against the council but plastering their homes in vinyl banners, signs and St George’s flags to celebrate the impending World Cup in Africa.

Last week, a Southampton man was told by the council to remove his World Cup decorations from outside his flat, according to the Southern Daily Echo. The football fan had put up banners, balloons, bunting and a St George’s flag but officials told him to remove the decorations for health and safety reasons.

The decision followed complaints about the flags and bunting, and wardens at the council flats deemed them to be a health and safety issue. The decision was made because the man was breaking rules which stipulate that all communal halls and sides of buildings must be kept completely clear from such objects, which are flammable.

The man told the Southern Daily Echo that he had knocked on doors across the flats, but no one owned up to making the complaint.

The wardens have denied claims that they told him it was racist to display the St George’s flag; they say they have no problem with residents showing their support for the competition.

Football fans across Southampton have covered their houses in signs, banners, t-shirts and flags displaying the St George’s cross in an act of rebellion against the council.