Newcastle United have issued an apology following an insensitive scene that was included a video posted on social media.
The club were forced to issue an apologise and withdrawn the scene from their new third kit launch video after it featured imagery resembling the Japanese Rising Sun flag. The promotional video, which included Newcastle supporter and musician Sam Fender, was released on Tuesday.
The controversial scene showed two supporters displaying a black and white flag bearing the club crest and "NUFC Japan" text. The design bore similarities to the Rising Sun flag, which was used by Japanese military forces during the Second World War.
Newcastle swiftly removed the original video and issued an apology for content that could "inadvertently cause offence".
The flag shown in the video resembles the Rising Sun flag
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"The reaction to our new third kit with adidas has been special, but the launch video contained a scene that could inadvertently cause offence. We apologise for that," Newcastle stated.
United added: "We've removed the scene from the film to make sure that as many fans as possible can enjoy it."
The Rising Sun flag displays a red disc surrounded by 16 red rays extending outward. Whilst the symbol has centuries of history in Japan and remains visible in Japanese society, its association with the Imperial Japanese military has rendered it deeply controversial.
South Korea has stated the flag symbolises Japan's "militaristic and imperial past". China, North Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Russia have similarly linked it to the Second World War period.
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Newcastle United launched this video in collaboration with adidas Originals to introduce the club's new 25/26 Third jersey.#NewcastleUnited #nufc #adidasoriginals #adidas pic.twitter.com/2B9lEqillx
— Football Shirt Culture (@footballshirt) July 1, 2025
The Korean peninsula was under Japanese occupation during the conflict until Japan's surrender in 1945. Japanese armed forces were accused of committing atrocities during this period.
South Korea previously campaigned to ban the flag from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, though organisers rejected this request.
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Newcastle subsequently released an edited version of the promotional video for their blue and orange third kit. The revised video retained appearances from striker Alexander Isak and club legend Tino Asprilla, but excluded the contentious flag scene.
The original video had showcased various fans alongside current and former Newcastle players.
The timing of the controversy is particularly significant as Newcastle prepare for their pre-season tour of Asia. Eddie Howe's team will play Arsenal at Singapore's National Stadium on July 27, marking their first visit to the country since 1996.
The Rising Sun Flag is seen as deeply controversial
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The Magpies will then travel to South Korea for two fixtures. They face an All-Star K League side on July 30 before meeting Tottenham Hotspur on August 3.
Given the Rising Sun flag's controversial status in South Korea due to Japan's wartime occupation, the removal of the imagery appears especially prudent ahead of Newcastle's matches in the country.
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