Miami Beach admits mistake after restaurant told to remove World Cup flags

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — As soccer fans from around the world descend on South Florida for the FIFA World Cup, one Miami Beach restaurant owner says his efforts to celebrate the global event unexpectedly landed him in the middle of a dispute with city code enforcement officials.

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Alex Ringleb, owner of Burgermeister Miami, decorated his restaurant with international flags ahead of the tournament, hoping to create a festive atmosphere and attract customers during the slower summer months.

Instead, he says, city code enforcement officers showed up and ordered the flags removed.

“That’s why we decorate, to bring that spirit from the World Cup to our business,” Ringleb told Local 10 News in an exclusive interview.

According to Ringleb, code enforcement officers informed him that the flags violated FIFA-related regulations and warned that he could face fines if they remained on display.

“They demanded that my staff stop working, stop serving our guests and remove all the flags, which then I refused,” Ringleb said.

Ringleb said the encounter was unsettling not only for his employees but also for customers dining at the restaurant.

“The guests don’t feel comfortable when you have someone in uniform demanding from your staff,” he said. “Our international guests don’t even know – ‘Is that the police? Who are these people?’”

The flags in question featured various countries participating in the tournament and did not contain official FIFA trademarks or branding.

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According to the city, the enforcement action was issued in error.

Miami Beach Commissioner Joe Magazine said the situation appears to have stemmed from confusion over rules involving trademarked World Cup-related materials.

“I think this is one of those cases where a great small business, a great operator, might have gotten mixed up and got caught up in a situation where we haven’t been able to remove all the red tape yet,” Magazine said.

The city later rescinded the warning and issued an apology.

In a statement to Local 10 News, city officials said:

“Although we strive to do the right thing always, we sometimes miss the mark. The Code Compliance verbal warning to Burgermeister for outdoor decorations was regrettably one of those instances. As soon as it was brought to our attention, it was immediately rescinded.”

The statement continued:

“We have since clarified guidance with our enforcement teams to ensure this does not happen again.”

Ringleb said some neighboring businesses removed similar decorations after hearing about potential fines, while others were left confused about what was and was not allowed.

He believes the incident highlights the need for clearer communication and better training for enforcement personnel, especially as Miami Beach prepares to host thousands of soccer fans.

The dispute has since been resolved, and the flags remain on display.

Ringleb said he also received a personal apology from the city manager.

Meanwhile, attention is turning back to the action on the field as the World Cup gets underway Monday in South Florida. Officials are reminding fans that enhanced security measures, including K-9 units and increased law enforcement presence, will be in place around match venues.

Those without tickets are being urged not to travel to the stadium expecting to gain entry. Tickets, however, can still be found on some resale sites, starting at around $500.

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