NICE, July 4 — Nice’s controversial ban on “ostentatious” displays of foreign flags for the duration of the World Cup was lifted today on the orders of an administrative court.

Following an appeal by two rights group in the French Riviera city, the court termed the move by right-wing mayor Christian Estrosi as “disproportionate” to the actual threat posed by public order by potential unrest among fans.

Estrosi declared the ban on Monday ahead of the Algeria-Germany second round match following incidents of unrest around Algeria’s previous matches in several French urban centres.

Algeria is no longer in the tournament having lost to Germany, who were due to face France in the first quarter-final at 1600 GMT tomorrow. — AFP