I did not say you are stupid. MOS:FLAG#Appropriate use 2 states: "In lists or tables, flag icons may be relevant when the nationality of different subjects is pertinent to the purpose of the list or table itself". In a top-level sporting competition, not just football, where the teams are multi-national, the nationality of different subjects IS pertinent. The flags are simply a graphic means of providing pertinent information about the players' nationalities. It is also necessary to provide the country name and this is achieved using mouseover.