Wales fan in Tesco England flag row

It’s been winding up a few local Welsh sports residents for weeks, but the England football takeover of Welshpool has come to a head.

Upset at the display that confronted him in Welshpool’s Tesco and the fact that there were no Welsh flags for sale anywhere for the rugby, local resident Keith Bonner asked staff to remove the flags of St George.

After being told the store was celebrating the World Cup, Mr Bonner asked to purchase an Italy flag (England’s opponents), as he was celebrating it too.

He was then informed there were only England flags for sale and claimes he was asked to leave the store, which he did.

“I was just trying to make a point,” said Mr Bonner. “I am in Wales and shopping in a shop selling goods in Wales and yet it was as if I was walking into a shop in England. Wales were playing rugby against South Africa that day but there wasn’t a Welsh flag there.

“I understand that they are celebrating the World Cup but what about all the other nations which a lot of us Welsh are supporting because we haven’t qualified? I asked for an Italy flag but many friends are backing Brazil, Holland, Portugal etc and none of those flags were there.

“I think it is disgusting. I doubt Tesco in Shrewsbury would be selling Welsh flags and items in the same way. They would probably be chased out of town, so why do it here?”

The debate has rumbled on social media since flags started appearing on cars prior to the World Cup getting underway.

But Mr Bonner believes Tesco has taken its support of England a few miles too far and to the wrong side of the border.

However, Tesco said there was no offence intended and they merely wanted to help their many English customers to celebrate the World Cup.

“Our Welshpool store serves English and Welsh customers, as it’s quite near the border, so we wanted to make sure those customers could get what they want to help them celebrate. We also have bunting with flags from all the World Cup nations.”

The store didn’t comment on why Mr Bonner was asked to leave the store.