England's iconic anthem Three Lions could be banned at the Qatar World Cup 2022, according to The Sun. Reports suggest the FA will look to replace the song because it risks offending other nations.
The David Baddiel and Frank Skinner hit has been a regular feature of every England campaign since its release ahead of Euro 96. Instead the FA could decide to opt for an American alternative - possibly Sweet Caroline.
The news comes after FA chiefs have deemed the tune is "arrogant" but critics have said the decision shows just how out of touch the FA are with England fans, Hull Live reports.
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England and Newcastle legend 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 let his thoughts be known and called the proposal a "ridiculous idea". He 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 from 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."
The song choice is expected to be announced after the summer. Last year, Three Lions co-creator David Baddiel said: “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.”
In 2018, Croatia’s players allegedly used the classic song as a motivational tool ahead of their 2-1 triumph over Gareth Southgate’s team at the last World Cup in Moscow.
In more recent times the Italian fans at Wembley sarcastically sang: “It’s coming to Rome” after the Azzuri won on penalties in the Euro 2020 final.
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