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Iconic England Song 'Football's Coming Home' Could Be Scrapped At World Cup Over Fears It's 'Offensive'
Home>Football
Published 07:05 5 May 2022 GMT+1

Iconic England Song 'Football's Coming Home' Could Be Scrapped At World Cup Over Fears It's 'Offensive'

There are reportedly growing concerns among FA officials that the catchy anthem is offensive to other nations.

Max Sherry

Max Sherry

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It's the tune we hear on loop every time a major international tournament rolls round.

Baddiel and Skinner's iconic anthem 'Football's Coming Home' will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest football songs of all-time, but it seems it's on the brink of getting axed.

It's understood there are growing concerns among FA officials that the catchy tune, made famous during the Three Lions' legendary Euro 96 run, is offensive to other nations and could subsequently be scrapped as the nation's official World Cup anthem.

And, rather unsurprisingly, these talks of dropping it haven't gone down well with supporters.

According to reports from The Sun, there are mounting fears within the FA that other nations think it is “arrogant” to sing about England being the home of football.

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“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," a source told the newspaper.

“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.

“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 feel good song — and has absolutely no negativity attached to it.”

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David Baddiel and Frank Skinner.
Alamy

Granted, Neil Diamond’s banger 'Sweet Caroline' is a decent track, but it doesn't hold the same relevance to English football fans than 'Football's Coming Home' does with the FA clearly failing to grasp just what the song actually means.

It's all about the ups and downs, rollercoaster of emotions, absolute heartbreak and every so often a tiny bit of joy which comes with being an England fan.

Singing about 'being the home of football' is actually the most ironic thing about it, right?

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Either way, the decision isn't going to be announced until later this year, although these early rumblings of change have already rubbed the Three Lions faithful up the wrong way.

Paul Gascoigne said: “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.

“You can’t take that song off us. Sweet Caroline doesn’t come close.

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“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."

Piers Morgan also chimed in, adding: “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.

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“We should absolutely stick with Three Lions."

Paul Gascoigne.
Alamy

Even David Baddiel himself had a feeling that the FA weren't too fond of it.

“Neil Diamond was set up as a kind of rival during the last Euro competition," he said.

“There was a thing which my manager feels was actually a conspiracy set up by The FA — they don't really like Three Lions.

“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.”

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Australia, Football, FA

Max Sherry
Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

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@maxysherry

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