THE SALTIRE has been banned from flying over Scotland's national stadium at Hampden while Olympic football matches are taking place.

The Scottish government has called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to rethink the ban, and SNP members have reacted with outrage to the move, describing it as an insult to Scotland.

London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games said the ban will remain in place, but they will seek further clarification from the IOC.

Games chiefs say the Saltire breaks rules on which flags and emblems can be shown at sporting venues being used for London 2012 events.

According to the IOC rulebook, only the five rings of the official banner and the flags of national Olympic associations can be shown – meaning the Saltire will have to be replaced with the Union Jack.

Hampden is to be used as a venue for 10 women's and men's football matches between July 25 and August 3.

The Scottish Government is now calling on the organising committee to make the Saltire a special case. A spokesman said: "The Saltire is Scotland's national flag, and there seems no good reason why it shouldn't continue to fly above the national stadium during these Olympic events.

"There is still a couple of months to go before the start of the Games, and hopefully the London 2012 organising committee can sort it out."

The ban has been branded "completely ridiculous" by SNP MEP Alyn Smith, who accused the London Organising Committee of "disrespecting" Scotland. Smith has complained to Lord Coe, chairman of the London 2012 organising committee, about the ban.

Initially there were fears that the rule could stop fans bringing the Saltire into the stadium when Olympics events are held at Hampden in Glasgow this summer.

However the London Organising Committee backed down, and agreed that ordinary members of the public can bring in their own flags and wave them, provided they are of a suitable size.

Alyn Smith said: "It's completely ridiculous and unacceptable that Scotland's national flag is going to be pulled down from its iconic place flying over Scotland's national stadium.

"The Saltire normally – and quite properly – flies above Hampden 365 days of the year. Forcing it to be taken down in this way will not only anger many home-based supporters, but also disrespects our history and nationhood."

The ban on flags that do not meet the IOC's criteria has hit the headlines before, most controversially during the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games in 2002.

Scottish Skier Alain Baxter, from Aviemore, was ordered to cover up a blue and white Saltire he had dyed into his hair before competing.

Independent MSP Margo McDonald, also called on the IOC to allow the Saltire to fly over the national stadium, saying: "Hampden in the host venue and the Olympics are coming as a guest, so it seems only right that we should be allowed to fly whatever flag we want.

Terms and conditions on tickets for the 2012 Games state there should be no flags of countries that are not participating.

A spokesman for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games said that common sense would be applied to fans, as long as there was no "political statement" linked to the flag or emblem, the spokesman said.

He said: "There is no question of the Scottish flag being banned from Hampden Park. Spectators are welcome to bring flags in, as long as they meet the size requirements set out in our terms and conditions. In terms of the flag flying from the stadium, we are clarifying the situation."

Christine Grahame, MSP, said: "It is unacceptable to remove the Saltire. It is a national flag. There may be rules which prevent it from being there but sometimes rules should be bent. This is pedantry gone mad."

'The Saltire flies above Hampden 365 days of the year. Forcing it to be taken down in this way will not only anger many home-based supporters but also disrespects our history and nationhood'

Alyn Smith, MSP