England anthem Three Lions looks set to be banned at the next World Cup, according to The Sun, with the FA picking a different song to be played at matches - possibly Sweet Caroline. The paper claims discussions are now under way at FA headquarters over which song will be played ahead of England matches in Qatar, with the Euro 96 anthem Three Lions falling out of favour.
Critics dislike the song, claiming 'It's Coming Home' is arrogant. But fans have called for the song to be saved. Euro 96 hero Paul Gascoigne told The Sun: "That song is in our DNA. It helped us in 1996 and it’ll help the boys in Qatar. The FA have totally lost the plot.”
He added: “You can’t take that song off us. Sweet Caroline doesn’t come close. It would be like saying we can’t wave St George’s flags anymore. This woke nonsense has no place in football. It’s just a great song.
TalkTV presenter Piers Morgan said: “This is a ridiculous idea. The song is all about wallowing in 30 years of hurt and pain at not winning anything, how can anyone say it is arrogant. We should absolutely stick with Three Lions.”
Each of the countries competing in the World Cup in Qatar in November and December must nominate a song to be played before kick-off. The Sun says FA chiefs are set to swerve Three Lions and instead select Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond.
One supporter told The Sun: “Fans will sing what they like and couldn’t really give a monkey’s what is ‘official’ or not. So expect to hear ‘Football’s Coming Home’ sung in Qatar in the stands regardless."
An England source told The Sun: “Gareth Southgate isn’t involved in the debate but he may well have decidedly mixed memories about 1996 after missing the penalty which knocked us out in the semi."
The song choice will be announced after the summer.
Three Lions co-creator David Baddiel said last year: “I think it's the notion — misinterpreted by many people — that football's coming home means that England owns football and we are the homeland of football. Which historically is the case. We were the first one to ratify the rules of the game.
“But somehow that's offensive to other FAs - like the Croatian FA or whatever.”
