LONDON — A video game that allows players to adopt the role of the Taliban is a "tasteless product," Britain's defense secretary said Sunday, calling retailers to show their support for troops by not selling it.

Liam Fox said he was "disgusted and angry" by "Medal of Honor," produced by Electronic Arts.

"At the hands of the Taliban, children have lost fathers and wives have lost husbands. It's shocking that someone would think it acceptable to recreate the acts of the Taliban against British soldiers," he said. "It's hard to believe any citizen of our country would wish to buy such a thoroughly un-British game. I would urge retailers to show their support for our armed forces and ban this tasteless product."

The California-based company did not immediately respond to e-mails, but spokeswoman Amanda Taggart was quoted as saying the game's format "merely reflects the fact that every conflict has two sides."

"We give gamers the opportunity to play both sides. Most of us have been doing this since we were seven: someone plays cop, someone must be robber," she said. "In Medal of Honor multiplayer, someone's got to be the Taliban."