'WOKE NONSENSE'
Furious England fans refuse to stop singing Football’s Coming Home as FA forced into huge U-turn on plans to axe song
ENGLAND fans have vowed to sing Football's Coming Home louder than ever after the FA called for the song to be ditched.
Baddiel and Skinner's 1996 hit has been a favourite of England fans over the last 26 years and is only growing in popularity.
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But the FA plotted to stop it from being sung amid concerns of arrogance and that it might offend other nations.
However, since The Sun broke the story and the incredible backlash at the idea, the FA have made a dramatic U-turn.
A spokeman said: "The FA still plays Three Lions at major Wembley matches and has never had any intention of doing otherwise.
"The song belongs to the fans and is about the hope of following the England team.
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"It was requested by The FA to be played as one of our team songs at the 2018 World Cup and at the EUROs last summer, and this is our plan at tournaments going forwards."
The news is a victory for England fans who were in disbelief at the plot.
It came after Uefa banned Baddiel, Skinner and the Lightning Seeds singing it at last year's Euro 2020 final - claiming it would be unfair on Italy.
The FA had conspired to make Sweet Caroline England's official anthem instead.
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But the public were refusing to listen and there has been an outcry on social media - even Paul Gascoigne has spoken out defiantly.
Gazza said: "That song is in our DNA. It helped us in 1996 and it’ll help the boys in Qatar.”
Some supporters have accused the FA of being too "woke" while others state that following the plot to ditch the anthem, they plan to sing it even louder in future.
One fan wrote on Twitter: "GOING TOO FAR NOW. This is our anthem, we all sing it, gets us all going, happy, they HATE us."
Another added: "If it does (get banned) we should play it louder."
And a third said: "Woke nonsense!"
There seems to be a consensus amongst fans in their reaction to the news.
In fact, in a SunSport poll asking if the song should be axed 93 per cent of responses said no and it would be ridiculous to do so.
Senior figures at the FA’s Wembley HQ argued that it is time for a forward-looking change — and more positive vibes during the pre-match warm-up.
An England source said: “The FA have always countered the song’s negatives by stressing that it’s all about hope — but there’s a feeling it might be time for a change.
“We have a great squad and a great chance in Qatar so it might be better to look forward from now on rather than back. “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.
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“Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline was a huge hit with fans singing their hearts out at Euro 2020 and must be a strong contender now.
“It has nothing to do with football but it’s a great feelgood song — and has absolutely no negativity attached to it.”
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