Free Republic

Draconian rules imposed by the Chinese authorities mean that flags of any non-competing nation are likely to be confiscated from fans, who could be barred from venues if they refuse to comply. Athletes could even be disqualified from competing if they break the rules. Because Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland are not individually represented at the games, only the Union Flag of Great Britain will be allowed inside the stadiums. The regulation is widely believed to be aimed at preventing supporters of an independent Tibet from making political statements by waving its flag, but it will be enforced...

   Tue 24 Sep 2002 ONE of the fastest-growing white supremacist groups in the United States has hijacked the Saltire to symbolise its struggle for a political system run by Celtic "kith and kin". Scottish tourists visiting Florida and the southern states on holiday have been warned that displaying Scotland’s national flag on their clothes now runs the risk of association with the extremist followers of the League of the South. The league, founded in Alabama in 1994, has nearly 10,000 members who claim Celtic roots and campaign for the "revitalisation of a general European cultural hegemony". It has...