Roy Hodgson has made a personal plea to England fans to avoid chanting of a “religious or political perspective” during England’s friendly with Republic of Ireland at Wembley tomorrow.
The move follows a Fifa request that the English Football Association should warn supporters but it is understood there are no special security measures in place for a fixture that has not been played since the game 18 years ago at Lansdowne Road that was abandoned during the first half as England fans rioted.
The FAI is not making any similar demands of its team’s supporters for fear of exacerbating the potential for disruption.
The England manager’s intervention comes in the email sent to all England fans before an international, which they should receive today. Hodgson wrote: “England fans are rightly renowned for their passionate backing of the Three Lions wherever and whenever the team plays, at home or abroad. With this next match coming in the middle of half-term week, it promises to be a great family occasion and everyone in the stadium should be able to enjoy it.
“Ahead of the Ireland fixture, on behalf of the FA, I would like to ask our supporters to please respect our opponents and welcome them in the right way. Wembley is considered the world over as the home of football and we ask those attending to not take part in any chanting – particularly of a religious or political perspective – which could cause offence to our visitors or fellow fans.”
Hodgson’s programme notes also make the same point and mention how regarding the reputation of England fans, “sadly it can be undone very quickly by a minority”.
For the match – and Sunday’s friendly against Brazil at the Maracana – Kyle Walker has been ruled out following an injury he picked up in a post-season game for Tottenham Hotspur against Jamaica in the Bahamas.
There are no plans to call in a replacement, meaning that Hodgson's only recognised right-back is Liverpool's Glenn Johnson. There was good news about Danny Welbeck, who should be able to train today despite also missing yesterday's session at St George's Park.
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