GOOGLE has pulled an advert for the England team from its homepage after The National raised a reader’s concerns.
Earlier in the week, a reader got in contact with this paper to highlight how people in Scotland who visited Google’s homepage were greeted with an England team badge.
Under the search bar, Google users would also see a message urging them to “get closer to the Three Lions this summer”.
If people clicked that message, they would be taken through to a page promoting England’s players and their partnership with the Google Pixel phone.
“As the official mobile phone of the England team, we’re right there with them for the big tournament of 2024 – and we’re bringing you with us,” the Google page said.
The National reader who got in touch asked why the England team was being promoted in Scotland, who are also in the Euros, adding: “I thought we are a nation of equals.”
After this paper approached Google for comment, the England team promotion was removed from their homepage.
Users in England have told this paper that they do not have the promotion on their version of the webpage either anymore, suggesting it has been removed entirely and not only for Scotland-based users.
Alba general secretary Chris McEleny, who is with the Tartan Army in Germany for the Euro 2024 competition, quipped: “You will only be able to find an England badge in Scotland over the coming weeks if you take to Google to search for one.”
He went on: “For fairness I just hope that Google are quick to promote that England will be on an early flight home as Scotland progress deep into the knockout stages.
“And on that note, from Munich, can I raise a beer to readers of the National watching Scotland back home as we hopefully secure one of our most famous ever results on Friday night.”
Google was approached for comment.
