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 England badge and team was promoted on Google's homepage this week (Image: Google)
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.
READ MORE: Gordon Strachan threatens to 'move to Shetland' if 'unbearable' England win the Euros
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.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel