We admit, we would not like to have to coordinate the security system for a Serbia-England poster. This is the sacred challenge that the German authorities are experiencing, this Sunday, on the occasion of the entry into contention “under very high security” of Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions during this Euro 2024, this Sunday (9 p.m.) at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen. The consumption of alcohol will for the occasion be prohibited in certain places in the city and border controls have been reinforced.
Among the main points of tension that have emerged in recent days between the German police and the numerous English supporters already present (35,000 British fans are expected this Sunday evening!) is one song in particular. Historically sung by British schoolchildren during the Second World War, it has been regularly chanted for many years on the sidelines of national team football matches, but it takes on a very special meaning, given that the competition takes place in Germany.
The English Federation ready to withdraw fans’ seats
As explained by Daily Mailsupporters were filmed in Gelsenkirchen and Düsseldorf singing Ten German Bombers (Ten German bombers), to the well-known tune of our nursery rhyme She comes down from the mountain. Clearly, lyrically, it reads in VF: “There were ten German bombers in the air, and the English Royal Air Force (RAF) shot down one”, and so on. Very drunk by this ritual, the German police quickly warned Three Lions supporters not to relaunch this song during Euro 2024.
“Our countries have been and remain allies for more than seven decades,” said Gelsenkirchen police chief Peter Both. Likewise, the English FA wanted to warn the main group of England fans: “We hope that our supporters will keep in mind the importance of representing England in the right way abroad”.
All with a warning: the FA could be required to withdraw the match tickets of any supporter exhibiting “unacceptable behavior”. Even Gareth Southgate stepped up to the plate on the subject during Euro 2021 in England, where his team lost on penalties in the final against Italy: “It is unacceptable. We have left that era behind. People who do this don’t represent us as a team.”