Plans are being drawn up for a jubilant national celebration for England fans and footballers in the event of an historic Euros win on Sunday.
After the squad surged to victory against Denmark, officials confirmed work was underway on how the nation could celebrate a win in the final.
Fans called for manager and former England player Gareth Southgate to be knighted if his team win again on Sunday – a proposal that was not dismissed by the Cabinet Office. Key players such as captain Harry Kane and midfielder Raheem Sterling could also be honoured.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised Mr Southgate’s management style and hinted that he was not against the manager receiving a knighthood.
Asked if it could soon be Sir Gareth, the Prime Minister told broadcasters: “I obviously wouldn’t want to anticipate anything that the honours people may decide. But clearly I think Gareth Southgate has done an absolutely outstanding job.
“What seems so amazing to me is how he varies it, he mixes it up, and plays a different series of options depending on the match in question. So best of luck for Sunday.”
There have been reports that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy had considered whether it would be possible to have a last-minute bank holiday if the lions were to succeed.
Asked about the possibility of a bank holiday on Monday, Mr Johnson said: “I think that would be tempting fate, let’s see what happens.”
Officials in Whitehall are also looking at how a national celebration could take place within the limitations of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Although the end of lockdown restrictions are just around the corner, social distancing rules will still be in place on Sunday and the following week – making mass events difficult to manage.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden and his team are looking into how members of the public can feel involved in any celebratory event without threatening public health.
A department official said the rise in Covid-19 infections at present meant a mass event would be unlikely to go ahead.
“We are not out of the pandemic yet so it’s going to be different to hat we’d normally like to do. But we’ll still be looking to ensure the country feels part of it,” they said.
Pressed on whether it would likely involve local events to avoid people mixing with too many others, they said: “I think it would be difficult to have a mass gathering when infections are rising, the matches are taking place under controlled conditions.”
Despite a high number of Covid cases, there is a chance Wembley Stadium could be packed to out with fans on Sunday as officials consider whether to allow for a full-capacity crowd.
As revealed by i, Government sources said a 90,000-capacity crowd for the Euro 2020 final “cannot be ruled out” given the historic nature of the game.
Some 60,000 fans were able to attend Wednesday’s game because the tournament is taking place under the Government’s Covid events piloting scheme.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/2UrYA7o
Post a Comment