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A leaked briefing note by Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport officials also said there were concerns uttering it could scupper the UK and Ireland bid to host the 2030 World Cup. In the email shared by Politics Home, they said: “As stressed before, please do encourage your ministers not to use ‘it’s coming home’ with the news media and social media.
“I know we’re swimming against the tide, but we know this does not go down well overseas – and strategically we need to do all we can to make ourselves welcoming to the football authorities when the UK and Ireland is scoping out a bid for 2030.”
A government source did not deny the authenticity of the message, telling the website: “We want to give ourselves the best shot of winning 2030.”
Thankfully Prime Minister Boris Jonhson has so far ignored the ridiculous plea.
After the national side’s impressive semi-final win over Denmark earlier this week he proudly declared “let’s bring it home”.
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However it is not without its detractors.
Earlier this week Tory frontbencher Lord Wolfson of Tredegar claimed the chant can serve as a threat to domestic abuse victims.
He pointed out that alcohol-fuelled violence in the home rose when there were big football matches.
Speaking at Westminster, Lord Wolfson said: “We know that domestic abuse goes up when there are big football matches and while we all want England to win we must remember those for whom ‘it’s coming home’ is a threat often accompanied by alcohol and violence.”
Separately the government is expected to announce a one-off bank holiday later in the summer if England defeats Italy tomorrow.
Monday is also likely to be an effective nationwide day-off as millions of Brits nurse hangovers.
The Prime Minister’s spokesperson said earlier this week: “I don’t want to pre-empt the outcome of Sunday’s match.
“Clearly we want England to go all the way and win the final, and then we will set out our plans in due course.”
The game kicks off at 8pm tomorrow and pubs will be allowed to stay open until 11.15pm so fans can continue to watch the game if it goes to extra time and penalties.
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