England fans paid their respects to the Queen today (Friday) on flags displayed on the canals of Milan before tonight’s clash with Italy.
In the brilliant early autumn sunshine Three Lions supporters happily mingled with locals enjoying lunch on the waterside. Some were wearing Inter and AC Milan shirts and they chatted with Three Lions fans.
One flag said simply: “R.I.P Queen Elizabeth God Save the King.” Another was from Lincoln City fans which read: “For Queen and Country. Rest in Peace 1926-2022.”
Some fans bellowed the national anthem with a particular emphasis on the line “God Save the King.”
The Italian authorities are hoping for a crowd of near 50,000 in the iconic stadium which holds 80,000. But as of last night only 38,000 tickets had been sold.
Italian fans are still reeling from the shock of their side not qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar in November. Many are not coming as they are still angry at their side’s historic failure.
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Harry Kane and his England team will be using the Inter Milan changing room in the stadium which they share with AC Milan. The happy scenes were a bit of a contrast from last night where England fans repeatedly chanted “F**k” the Pope” and were involved in minor skirmishes.
Italian Police originally took a softly softly approach towards the Three Lions supporters and there was barely an officer in sight in the popular Navigli canal district. There were no major incidents involving the fans but they constantly sang “F**k the Pope and the IRA” throughout the evening.
They also chanted “Ten German Bombers” and “We hate Celtic” - believed to refer to the behaviour of fans of the Glasgow club following the death of the Queen. Missiles were thrown at a four man crew rowing on the canal and dozens of fans could be seen urinating into the water.
A couple of bars shut their doors after the incidents and the England fans headed off to other areas of the city with no further outbreaks of trouble.
The match tonight kicks off at 7.45pm.
