Newcastle issue apology and immediately take down third kit release video after eagle-eyed fans spot ‘offensive' flag
The Magpies have taken down the video containing the flag and edited the footage out of future content that they plan to share.
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Newcastle revealed their new Adidas third shirt on Tuesday with a video that included famous faces from the Toon Army including Sam Fender, Alexander Isak, Tino Asprilla and Jonas Gutierrez.
However, what was meant to be a video celebrating Newcastle's growing family, has instead led to an apology from the club.
A statement from Newcastle read: "We have been alerted to the appearance of a flag in our recent third kit launch video that could inadvertently cause offence.
"In response, we immediately removed the video from circulation and have taken steps to edit the visual from all future content.
"We sincerely apologise for any offence caused".
At one point in the video two fans can be seen holding up an altered flag that resembles the Rising Sun Flag, a former symbol of the Imperial Japanese Army.
While the flag is considered part of Japanese history, other countries such as South Korea, China, Singapore and Russia have claimed that it is associated with imperial wartime atrocities.
Newcastle are heading on a pre-season tour later this month that will see them play games in both Singapore and South Korea.
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The flag is currently banned by FIFA at international matches.
While South Korea wanted it banned from the 2020 Olympics too, but organisers claimed the flag is "widely used in Japan" and is "not a political statement".
Newcastle are yet to confirm that the flag in question was the reasoning for their apology.
Their original video has been removed from all their social channels, while the same has been done by kit manufacturer Adidas.
Newcastle begin their pre-season preparations this month, playing their first friendly against Celtic - a match in which they will debut their new third kit.
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