South Africa's Liverpool fans have been blocked from protesting against the club's American owners.

The Daily Mail says it emerged yesterday that the strong arm of FIFA 's stewarding army has reached out to spoil the fun of a group of South African Liverpool fans who had hung a banner protesting the reign of their club's American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

The flag, adorned with the words 'Save Liverpool FC - Hicks and Gillett out', was hanging harmlessly from a stand in Durban during the Germany-Australia game on Sunday night.

At least it was until it was removed and shredded with a knife.