WORLD Cup fever has been kicked into touch for workers at a city firm after bosses showed them the red card for decking out their company vans with England flags. Football mad staff at property services firm Ian Williams claimed they had been ordered to ditch the flags or face the sack for publicly supporting England. The national company, which has a Birmingham branch in Hagley Road West and 17 other UK bases, refused to comment on the sackings claim but said they had asked staff to remove the England flags from the firm's fleet of white vans. Mike Turner, business development manager at Ian Williams Ltd's headquarters at Chipping Sodbury, near Bristol, said: "Our company brand is very precious to us and our customers. We want to maintain that consistency. "We do not want anyone within our company to change or modify it in a way that was not approved centrally because we respect our brand. This goes for anything from business cards and brochures to our vans." Theresa Webb, aged 65, from Edgbaston, whose son works for Ian Williams, said: "My son and his workmates don't want to speak out about this because the company have said anyone who does not take the flags down will face instant dismissal. "The firm also told them that they did not want to upset the Asian community with the flags but most Asian people are born and bred here and have British passports. They'll all be roaring for England too. "I think the company's attitude simply divides people and causes problems. I've seen council vans with England flags and even street sweepers - it's just a bit of World Cup fun. "I like to go to the St Patrick's Day parade. I'm not Irish but their flag doesn't offend me." Mr Turner refused to comment on the Asian community claim saying it was "not an issue". But he added: "We are a responsible company with an Investors in People award, employing 1,300 people. We treat our employees fairly, supporting them and empowering them and we work in many communities. "You are simply trying to make a story out of nothing. If it was the Olympics or anything else we would give the same answer. I'm sure other organisations that value their brand will be facing the same issue." * Should van drivers be allowed to fly the flag for England? Has your boss imposed a similar ban? Tell us your views at www.birminghammail.net/news/yoursay | 
