THE football industry must take action to 'reclaim' the flag of St George from its association with racism and nationalism, a leading political think-tank has said.

The number of Asian and black supporters attending football grounds in the country is still minimal.

Those attending England matches even less.

It's quite like if you were to ask your average Asian football fan who he will be supporting in the World Cup the answer could well be Brazil or France either because they are the best sides or because the fan doesn't feel any affinity with England?

Mark Perryman, author of the report entitled Ingerland Expects: Football, National Identity and World Cup 2002, said, "No BNP or National Front march is complete without the St George flag. Almost every incident of England fan violence will have a shot of the flag being worn by those involved.

"Negative associations with the St George flag cannot be wished away, but the softening of the flag's symbolism could be greatly aided by starting to turn it into something that is inseparable from the good that football can put back in the world every St George's Day (April 23rd).''

Other European nations also contend with silmilar issues when it comes to supporting their national team.

France, for example has seven first team players who are either black or from a minority group. Those players have won the World Cup and European Championships back to back.

The recent success of the far right in the country has done little to instill confidence of minority groups.

The far right though finds itself in an almost impossible situtation of wanting to get tough on immigration.

Take out the 'immigrants', most notably, Zidanne, Henri, Thuram, Viera, Wiltord, Trezageut, Anelka, from the national team and what are you left with?

IPPR director Matthew Taylor said, "We hope that this report, which marks a departure from the IPPR's usual work, will spark a debate in advance of the World Cup.

"It's about reinventing what the community of football means: it's not men only, nor is it all white.

"Football is the people's game and it can help engage us in a new sense of positive pride in our country and communities.''

Proposals on the flag of St George is one of 11 policy ideas to get supporters involved in positive aspects of the World Cup.