Germany's police chief made a frank appeal for supporters not to be 'd***s' by singing it. (Image: Daily Express / Zak Garner-Purkis)
Despite warnings from British and German authorities, pockets of England fans are continuing to belt out a controversial chant in the fanzones surrounding the Euro 2024 tournament.
This week, a clip on social media captured the moment England supporters in Frankfurt burst into the famous Ten German Bombers song, before being unexpectedly joined by Germans.
But many other German fans say the song is offensive. Ahead of the tournament, the FA urged Four Lions fans to be "great guests" at the tournament after the song was sung during a warm-up friendly earlier this month.
Germany's police chief also made a frank appeal for supporters not to be "d***s" by singing it.
So why is the chant so controversial? The song, which is sung to the tune of the traditional folk song, "She'll be Coming Round the Mountain," references German casualties in World War 2.
Euro 2024: England fans sing Ten German Bombers in Frankfurt
The repeated refrain begins that there "were ten German bombers in the air, and the RAF from England shot one down," with the number of German planes descending by one in each succeeding verse.
It recalls scenes from the allied battle against the Nazis almost a century ago, which saw aerial dogfights over Britain and devastating bombing campaigns in the British Isles and in Germany.
Tens of millions died in the conflict, during one of the darkest periods in human history.
Last month, British authorities suggested those caught singing it could be hit with fines in Germany if they refused to stop when asked, could that it could qualify as a public order offense if deemed sufficiently provocative.
However, German police have also said there is a limit to what they can do because singing the song is not a criminal offence in the country, unlike Nazi-related gestures or the chanting of discriminatory racist or homophobic songs.
Intervening to try and prevent hundreds of fans singing it also poses huge practical challenges.
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England fans are gathering in Frankfurt ahead of their side's Group C match against Denmark tonight. (Image: Getty)
Oliver Strudthoff, the head of Germany’s National Police Co-ordination Centre, told the BBC: “It’s perhaps not an offence, but it’s very, very impolite. So please stop this."
But he warned fans could face a fine or even be arrested if the behaviour became more serious.
A spokesperson from the UK Football Policing Unit told the outlet: “The vast majority of supporters travelling will be genuine fans who simply want to enjoy the football. We would urge any fans travelling to be mindful and aware of the local culture and be good guests.
"Wilfully acting in a way to cause offence could result in a heightened risk to your personal safety, and German police will take action against those breaking the law. This action can include heavy fines and custodial sentences.”
