TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A Taiwan flag waving incident at a women’s soccer match between Australia and Taiwan has ignited a debate about freedom of expression in Australia. 

On Dec. 4 at the Kardinia Park stadium near Melbourne, a couple were forcibly removed for displaying a Taiwan flag during the match. The man, Philip Rowse, and his wife who is Taiwanese, were cheered from the stands for waving the flag, which drew the attention of stadium security. 

According to Rowse, who took to social media following the incident, security officials initially assumed the team playing was China, due to the “Chinese Taipei” designation required for Taiwanese athletes at international competitions. They then assumed Rowse and his wife were performing an act of political protest by waving the Taiwan flag. 

Officials threatened to confiscate the flag and throw it in the trash. Rowse and his wife were then expelled from the stadium by Victoria police, reported the Geelong Advertiser. 

In a press release, Western Victoria MP Bev McArthur pointed to China’s influence over Australia’s public sporting events and the issue of freedom of expression. McArthur urged support and solidarity with Taiwan, and said “imagine an Australian team overseas being told our national flag was not allowed — it’s unthinkable.”

Under FIFA rules, which govern international soccer activities, the Taiwan flag is banned from all officially sanctioned matches. Rowse, McArther, and multiple commentators argue freedom of expression at public events in Australia should not be curtailed due to the stipulations of a Swiss company, or out of deference to policies of the Chinese government.   

McArthur called on sporting event organizers and the government to ensure similar situations will not occur again. “We pride ourselves on supporting democracy and opposing authoritarian influence, yet we appear to be bowing to the bullying tactics of the Chinese Communist Party.”