In the extremely unlikely case you nestled yourself into a deep dark hole today and so missed the world news – England were sent home from the 2018 Russia World Cup after being defeated by Croatia, 1-2.
The team’s anthem, It’s Coming Home, was sung far and wide over the past few days as England revelled in the hopes of an English World Cup after 52 years.
But alas, it was not meant to be.
In short:
Despite feeling crushed and absolutely gutted, England fans stayed behind at the Luzhniki Stadium and sung Oasis’ 1995 tune Don’t Look Back In Anger.
You can see the scenes, below:
England fans refusing to go home. They’ll be back in 2022, and so will this team. #DontLookBackInAnger #worldcup pic.twitter.com/gj5WJ4L8rn
— Jamie Reid ⚽️ (@JamieRfootball) July 11, 2018
I’m sat here watching 1000s of England fans applauding the squad and singing ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ with all they have. Thankfully we are looking forward with hope. Gareth Southgate and his team have helped many fall back in love with the beautiful game. Onwards & upwards.
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) July 11, 2018
#eng fans left in the Luzhniki loudly singing “Don’t look back in anger”. They know how much the players gave. Pickford, Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Henderson, Lingard and others superb. Last four in the world, simply beaten by a more experienced side – and congratulations to #cro
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) July 11, 2018
England fans right now. 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/jjtmMz0maF
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 11, 2018
Don’t Look Back In Anger was performed by Ariana Grande and Coldplay at the former’s One Love Manchester benefit concert following the suicide bombings at Manchester Arena in May 2017. Prior to that, footage from a vigil at Manchester’s St Ann’s Square showed hundreds in attendance singing the song.
Noel Gallagher reportedly donated his royalties from the song to the Manchester Emergency Fund in wake of the attack.
For the most part though, a majority of England fans are extremely proud of the Three Lions with hundreds taking to their Twitter to share their support for their team.
Once again sparking discussion around FIFA’s disciplinary court, the English Football Association copped a mighty 70,000 Swiss francs (AUD $95,000) fine for wearing the wrong socks – no really, “unauthorised” socks.
Midfielders Dele Alli and Eric Dier, and forward Raheem Sterling were caught wearing branded ankle support socks over their official ~ Nike ~ socks and reportedly ignored warnings so they copped a fine.
Per their official statement:
FIFA had previously requested the Football Association to cease the activity that led to the sanction.
In particular, several members of the English national team continued to display unauthorised commercial branding on playing equipment items before and during the World Cup quarter-final match between Sweden and England.
Instead of Nikes, the three players wore TRUSox, a British-made non-slip performance sock.
Uruguay were also dealt a hefty fine for the same reason as was Sweden’s Andreas Granqvist.
