The Kingdom did not unite around the England team

Published: 10/07/2021 – 14:31

Old wounds, political differences or the arrogance of UK supporters: Many Welsh, Scottish or Northern Irish fans will support Italy England During the Euro-2021 final on Sunday, July 11.

Although their team’s first qualifier for the final of a major tournament since 1966 exploded with joy across England on Wednesday, football fans in neighboring countries have shown little enthusiasm, often saying they can cheer on “anyone other than England”.

“Asking Wales fans to support England is like asking Everton fans to support Liverpool,” sports journalist Tom Williams said on Twitter.

“England are Wales’ best competitors in terms of the game,” he recalled. “Yes, it’s a good manager, a good team, but you can’t actively‘ support ’your competitors,” he notes.

According to a Good Morning UK online poll, 63% of supporters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland support Italy.

“Arrogance” in English

In the origin of this frustration, similar reasons from one country to another.

“Wales has experienced centuries of repression from the UK, and Boris Johnson’s government thinks only of us when the time is right,” said Laura Kemp, a journalist with Wales Online.

“Not forgetting these ‘Neanderthals’ who break into pubs and places wherever they go,” he says of English supporters, annoyed by their “arrogance” and “the way they believe in allowing themselves anything”.

The English retort that unfortunately they are determined by the most serious supporters and that being considered arrogant is actually a way to promote their team.

In the heart of reproach, “Football is coming home”, A song recorded for Euro-1996, which is often sung by English fans. Considering England’s successive defeats since being crowned at the 1966 World Cup, a formula that is very proud raises critics.

“Football is coming home? So England will own the game. I don’t think so,” the former Scotland international Graeme Sensens wrote in the Liverpool legend Times.

Ever had “football” at home? Have you already won? “Danish goalkeeper teased before Wednesday’s semi-final between England and Denmark Caspar Schmidt.

But The Lightning Seeds band’s song actually contrasts with the usual slogans of Rosie’s supporters, but mocks the blind faith of English fans. BBC presenter Dan Walker explains on Twitter that the song is “about a dream that will never come true, about the glory of the past and missed opportunities”, which is a song about “the hope that never goes away, despite the pain.”

Political divisions

While the four countries are happy to support their common team as they compete under the same flag at the Olympics, their personal participation in football matches highlights the political and identity divisions. Increases with Brexit.

For the three minorities, the UK, with its 56 million people and the seat of central power, is characterized by conservatism, colonial rule and centuries of oppression.

If you see Prime Minister Boris Johnson or Home Secretary Priti Patel wearing a England jersey, Scottish TV presenter Stuart Cosgrove gnashes his teeth as if to say they represent the British government, believing they would not have done so much if they had gone to Scotland so far.

After all, some supporters say they were inspired by the team, which has taken a stand against racial or gender discrimination. Especially by the attacker Marcus Rashford, Which forced the British government to extend free school meals to fewer students during the Govt-19 epidemics.

Laura Kemp admits that ‘English’ imperialism has nothing to do with the England team because ‘people want to hate’, ‘praising the players who challenge the establishment and the players who have had enough of the privileges of the elite in Wales.

With AFP