England fans traveling to the World Cup in the US face the possibility of being removed from stadiums if they sing offensive songs aimed at the US president Donald Trump and the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The warning came ahead of England’s first match of the tournament, in which the selectors of Thomas Tuchel defeated Croatia 4-2, they announced the British media.
England competes in Group L, and after the match with Croatia in Texas, they are expected to play against Ghana and Panama. Fans have been dreaming of the national team’s first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup, but some of their attention is also focused on the political messages being heard from the stands.
During the friendly match in Orlando last week, insulting chants directed at British Prime Minister Starmer were heard, and according to media reports, the same chants echoed in the hospitality facilities in Dallas before the meeting with Croatia.
Fans sent insulting messages to US President Donald Trump as well, for which they could face sanctions from FIFA.
Under FIFA rules, matches must remain politically neutral events. Bringing in banners, flags and clothing with political, offensive or discriminatory content is prohibited, and the code of conduct expressly prohibits the use of offensive speech and gestures.
The FA are reportedly already in talks with FIFA in an attempt to find a solution ahead of the next matches. Fans are advised to bring their flags, but also to be prepared for the possibility that security services will not allow them to enter the stadiums.
The FA said fans had been informed in advance that FIFA may ban the entry of flags with sensitive or political content and that their representatives on the ground were ready to help if problems arose.
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