German police have sent a stern message to England fans who are considering singing ’10 German Bombers’ during the upcoming European Championships.
The song – which is sung in the tune of ‘If You’re Happy and You Know It’ and refers to German casualties in the Second World War – has regularly been heard at England matches, including their recent 3-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday night.
According to The Telegraph, footage emerged of home supporters belting out the chant during the warm-up game, sparking fears it could be frequently heard at the Euros.
With the competition set to kick-start in Germany next Friday – which England’s first game on the Sunday – police authorities have spoken out and asked Three Lions fans not to ‘be a d***’ at the tournament.
Accoding to the outlet, chief of police Peter Both said: ‘That’s what I would say to them: Don’t be a d***. If they sing a song like this, I can’t change it.
German police have asked England fans not to sing ’10 German Bombers’ during the Euros
Chief of police Peter Both admitted that police will be powerless to arrest supporters singing the chant however have urged Three Lions fans not to ‘be a d***’ during the competition
‘It’s not punishable in Germany. I hope that all the other peaceful and law-abiding fans say to them: ‘Stop it.’
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‘I know, and all people in Germany know, there is a long-lasting sporting rivalry between England and Germany. But it’s important for me to say it’s only a sporting one.
‘Our countries have been, and remain, allies for over seven decades.’
Both also revealed that any supporter seen performing a Nazi salute would be arrested.
‘If we talk about showing the Hitler salute, it’s absolutely unbearable and intolerable,’ he said. ‘We have to tell them it’s punishable and criminal in Germany,’ he said.
Last month, British police and the Foreign Office were told that those found engaging in WW2 jibes will be marched over to ATMs and made to hand over a fine by local authorities.
Fines could be up to amount to a month’s wages, according to The Sun.
The crackdown on football fans comes as 300,000 supporters to flock to Germany for the championship.
German police are reportedly concerned that the war-related songs may spark tension in cities like Frankfurt and Cologne which were blitzed by the RAF during the war.
Fans travelling to the Euros, which kicks off June 14, are also expected to face travel and security challenges.
The competition is set to kick-start in Germany next Friday when the hosts take on Scotland
A report last month claimed that fans found engaging in WW2 jibes will be marched over to ATMs and made to hand over a fine by local authorities
German Rail Unions are threatening to strike over concerns that their network cannot handle the number of fans travelling during the tournament as safety standards are not high enough for staff.
The championship is being held in venues across Germany, from Munich in the south to Hamburg in the north- with any train strikes leaving some fans stranded between games.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: ‘We know that fans from across the UK will be travelling to Germany to enjoy this summer’s Euro 2024.
‘We recommend that they check our travel advice to help them have the best possible tournament experience.’
