Fan groups associated with Luton Town Football Club have criticised the Football Association (FA) following the decision to cover up a prominent flag during England’s under-21 friendly match against Austria at Kenilworth Road on Monday evening.
The controversy surrounds a flag that reads “Betrayed by the FA,” a longstanding symbol of discontent from Luton supporters following the club’s 30-point deduction by the Football League and FA in 2008, which led to their relegation to non-league football. The flag, a fixture at Luton’s home ground since the incident, was partially covered during the under-21s’ 4-1 victory.
Luton Town Supporters’ Trust (LTST) and the Loyal Luton Supporters Club (LLSC) have both issued strong statements condemning the FA’s decision to conceal the flag.
Loyal Luton expressed their frustration soon after journalist Henry Winter posted an image on X (formerly Twitter) showing the bottom of the flag folded, with the caption, “diplomatic bit of folding here with the FA in town.”
Diplomatic bit of folding here with the FA in town. #LTFC pic.twitter.com/iplRLZb4m5
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) September 9, 2024
In response, Loyal Luton issued a statement via Luton Today, saying, “Loyal Luton is left deeply disappointed and dismayed by the covering of the ‘Betrayed by the FA’ flag during the England U-21 match. We were led to believe it would be displayed in full.”
The group went on to highlight the symbolic importance of the flag to the Luton fanbase: “This flag symbolizes LTFC’s remarkable rise from near collapse, and its message is crucial – a reminder of the club’s history and the struggles we’ve overcome. LLSC demands an explanation of who made the decision to hide it and why. The flag represents more than a grievance – it’s a voice for supporters still hurt by the FA’s 2008 actions. Silencing it for an external event is deeply disappointing. Never forgive, never forget.”
The Luton Town Supporters’ Trust echoed these sentiments in their own statement, further calling on the FA to issue an apology. “LTST strongly condemns the covering up of the flag, and as such we have contacted the football club and have been advised that this was not their decision,” the Trust said. “The FA hired the ground, and we understand that when they did so the club insisted that the flag remain untouched.”
Luton fans have long viewed the 2008 point deduction as a dark chapter in the club’s history, and the flag has served as a public reminder of their struggles and eventual recovery. Both fan groups are now seeking an explanation and apology from the FA for what they perceive as an attempt to silence their protest.
The Background Story
In 2008, the Hatters faced one of the darkest moments in its history when they were hit with a 30-point deduction by the Football Association (FA) and the Football League. This deduction, imposed at the start of the 2008-09 season, effectively condemned the club to relegation from the Football League to the non-league, a blow that took years to recover. The severe punishment stemmed from a combination of financial mismanagement, breaches of regulations, and an ongoing dispute with the governing bodies. However, Luton Town’s fans have long viewed the FA’s handling of the situation as disproportionately harsh, leading to deep resentment and the infamous “Betrayed by the FA” flag that still hangs at their Kenilworth Road ground.
The roots of Luton Town’s crisis lie in a turbulent period during the mid-2000s. The club had experienced significant financial difficulties, including administration, which is the formal declaration that a business is insolvent. Between 2007 and 2008, Luton Town entered administration twice, automatically triggering a 10-point penalty under Football League rules. The administration was largely caused by debts accumulated under previous ownerships and difficulties managing the club’s finances while trying to remain competitive in the Football League.
However, the FA’s decision to levy an additional 20-point deduction came from a separate breach of agent payment rules. The club’s owners at the time were found to have bypassed FA regulations regarding player transfers and agents’ fees, failing to disclose payments properly. This, in the eyes of the governing bodies, was a serious violation of football’s rules and ethics. The combined punishments—the 10 points for administration and 20 points for improper payments—totalled 30 points and were handed down just before the start of the 2008-09 season in League Two, effectively dooming Luton Town to relegation.
The punishment felt particularly harsh for Luton Town supporters because the transgressions largely predated the new ownership group that had taken over the club. By 2008, Luton had been sold to a consortium of local businessmen who, while committed to stabilising the club, inherited the previous owners’ mismanagement. Fans and the new board argued that they were being penalised for the actions of former owners and that the FA had failed to consider the club’s efforts to reform and rebuild.
Moreover, many Luton fans believe that the FA’s approach to Luton Town was unfair compared to how other clubs were treated for similar offences. They point to other clubs that faced financial issues or breaches of regulations yet received lighter punishments or more lenient treatment. The sense of injustice deepened when Luton’s appeals to have the punishment reduced were rejected by the FA, cementing a feeling of betrayal within the fanbase.
The perception among Luton supporters is that the FA made an example of the club, using the 30-point deduction as a warning to others. This punishment left Luton in a near-impossible position. Despite a valiant effort on the pitch, they were relegated to the Conference, the fifth tier of English football, for the first time in their history. The impact was felt beyond just relegation; it meant a loss of status, significant financial hardship, and a long road back to the Football League.
The legacy of the 30-point deduction still lingers. For Luton fans, the “Betrayed by the FA” flag symbolizes their anger and frustration at what they see as a grossly unfair punishment. While the club has since made a remarkable recovery, rising back up through the leagues to reach the Premier League in 2023, the bitterness towards the FA remains a key part of the club’s history and identity. Many Luton Town supporters still believe that the FA failed in its duty to act fairly, and the sense of injustice continues to fuel their passion for the club.
The FA has yet to comment on the matter.
