England fans told to 'sing your heart out' after Euro 2024 ban threat for WW2 song
Daily Express readers have their say after the controversial singing ahead of the Euro 2024 tournament.
England fans have been warned they could face bans during the upcoming Euro 2024 campaign for singing an old World War 2-era song - but readers in the Daily Express comments section are defiant in the face of action.
Footage from the England vs Bosnia and Herzegovina friendly at St James' Park on Monday showed fans chanting a variant on "Ten German Bombers", which references the RAF's stalwart defence of Britain against the German Luftwaffe's terror bombing campaigns.
Concern has grown leading up to Euro 2024 in two weeks' time, which will be held in Germany.
England fans have been warned many times in the past by the English FA and UEFA about singing the song on the terraces. They face bans if they are identified as being part of the chant.
In 2017, a section of the England Supporters Travel Club was banned for "unacceptable behaviour", including the chant, at a friendly against Germany.
The warnings have started a back-and-forth between readers in the Daily Express comments section.
Commenter Joolsaria wrote: “Oh for goodness sakes, it is just plain rude and offensive.
"The Germans of today were not involved in the war, they have had to deal with the outcome for decades and faced up to the awful consequences of Hitler, why go and rub their noses in it? Especially coming from Brits who never took part in any war and were not even alive at the time!”
User Johnreginaldcecilbartholomewsmytheiii agreed: “The fans' behaviour as much as the players’ reflect on the rest of us. Wouldn’t it be nice if people going to an England match just had a wonderfully good time?”
Namesless Reader said: “They should be banned. They bring shame on the country,” but FKoenig did not mind either way, saying: “As a German I couldn't care less when uninventive England fans sing dated songs. Makes defeating their team only so much sweeter.”
Some think the song should never have been banned, including reader Oilnc99, who said: “The FA have lost the plot, it's just a song it's not threatening or anything. It's exactly the same with every football team's fans. They will start making the matches so boring.”
Bobo022 wrote: “The fans should be telling the FA where to go, the song is not illegal.” Brexit=freedom agreed, saying: “They are determined to make football as soulless and unfun as their lives.”
Chelseacity wrote: It's a harmless song. The Germans are not offended, but some weak-minded non-Germans are offended on behalf of the Germans, stop being so blooming woke.”
K69atie said: “I'd have thought an offensive song would have got the Germans fired up and ready to give their opponents a good thrashing, lol.”
The Three Lions officially begin their Euro 2024 campaign on Sunday, June 16, with an opening Group C clash against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen.
England’s official 26-man squad will be formally announced on June 8, 2024, when players will learn whether they have made the grade or be left behind at home.
It will have been confirmed the day before, ahead of UEFA's Jue 7 deadline, but England manager Gareth Southgate will not publicly reveal the final group until the following day.
