England fans have been left outraged after it was revealed that the Lionesses will not have a victory bus parade through London today after winning Euro 2022.
The Football Association confirmed that ‘there will not be a bus parade before or after’ the victory party at Trafalgar Square today, which runs from 11am until 2pm.
Up to 7,000 supporters will still be able to celebrate the win at the event, just hours after fans watched England beat Germany 2-1 in extra-time on big screens there.
But supporters condemned the decision not to hold a parade, saying on social media that it was a ‘real shame’ and it would be the ‘least that England deserve’.
Others labelled it ‘shocking’ and ‘absolutely disgusting from @MayorofLondon and others in a position to affect this’, with one adding: ‘Someone have a word.’
It comes despite major bus parades through London both in 2003 after England won the Rugby World Cup, and in 2005 when England’s cricketers won The Ashes.
TODAY: England fans gather at Trafalgar Square in London for the Euro 2022 victory party
The Football Association confirmed ‘there will not be a bus parade before or after’ the party
The party today has been organised by the Greater London Authority (GLA), the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Westminster Council.
But it is not clear who decided to not hold a bus parade, with Westminster Council directing queries to the GLA. MailOnline has asked the GLA and DCMS for comment.
England’s players and their manager, Sarina Wiegman, will take part in a Q&A session before lifting the trophy today – with the event shown live on BBC One from 12.40pm.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said it was ‘only right’ that fans can celebrate the ‘historic victory’ together with the players at Trafalgar Square today.
2003 — England’s victorious Rugby World Cup team on a parade in London in December 2003
2005 – England’s cricket team on a bus in London in September 2005 after winning The Ashes
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he ‘can’t wait’ to see the team lift the trophy again in Trafalgar Square, adding: ‘They’ve broken records, and now they’ve made history.
And Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: ‘I’m delighted that we have worked quickly with the FA to put on a victory celebration in Trafalgar Square.’
Fans will be able to bring their own food and disposable or reusable water bottles – except glass – on site today, with free water refills also available.
The Lionesses beat Germany 2-1 in front of 87,000 supporters at Wembley Stadium yesterday, securing the first major tournament title for the country since 1966.
Number 10 said today that Boris Johnson will ‘definitely’ want the Lionesses to receive ‘the recognition they right deserve’ after England’s historic triumph.
Asked if the Prime Minister will back damehoods for the team following their win, his official spokesman said: ‘The Prime Minister would definitely want to see the team receive the recognition they rightly deserve for their historic victory.
‘On honours specifically, there is obviously a process that is a matter for the independent honours committee, but clearly the public want to see (the) Lionesses receive recognition.’
Unlike other successful sporting teams, the Lionesses will not be honoured with a visit to No 10 this week, because Mr Johnson is attending the funeral of Northern Ireland peace process architect Lord Trimble today and will be on holiday from Wednesday.
‘The Prime Minister is attending the funeral of Lord Trimble today which is why he is not able to join the celebrations,’ the spokesman said.
BBC in Euro 2022 sexism storm after Gary Lineker deletes his tweet joking about Chloe Kelly’s bra and all-male Kasabian play out broadcast of the Lionesses’ epic victory over Germany
By BROOKE DAVIES FOR MAILONLINE
The BBC and Gary Lineker have received an online backlash after the presenter made a ‘sexist’ bra joke and an all-male band were chosen to play over the Lionesses’ end montage.
The £1.36million-a-year Match of the Day presenter said in a now deleted tweet that ‘the Lionesses have only gone and done it, and Kelly is England’s heroine, bra none’, beneath an image of match-winner Chloe Kelly.
One Twitter user said: ‘You’ve reduced a truly game changing moment for women and girls into a puerile sexist joke. Do you comment when male players take their shirts off? Is it any wonder people don’t take the women’s game seriously.’
Gary Lineker made a joke about Chloe Kelly’s bra which has since been deleted on Twitter and edited on Instagram
Twitter users were angered over Gary Lineker’s bra joke, which has been described as misogynistic
Instagram users were shocked Lineker commented on Lioness Chloe Kelly’s sports bra
Another described the former England footballer as ’embarrassing’ and told him ‘women did what you couldn’t and you reduce their victory to a bra joke’.
On Instagram, Lineker has amended the caption to be ’22 women chase a ball for 90 minutes and, at the end, England actually win. Congratulation Lionesses’ – but angry comments remain underneath.
One Instagram user said: ‘Not sure why her underwear is relevant though? #everdaysexism.’
Lineker also retweeted a post that someone had shared with him about Walkers crisps
Another said: ‘Look forward to you celebrating a male win by commenting on their jock straps. Outrageous.’
Lineker also retweeted a post yesterday that a fan had shared with him from Wembley about Walkers crisps, a brand for which he is a well-known ambassador.
Meanwhile the BBC has also received online criticism over their choice of all-male band Kasabian to play out the broadcast of the Lionesses’ win.
Twitter users described the BBC’s choice as ‘really weird’ and ‘an own goal’.
Twitter users criticised the BBC for failing to find an all-female band to play during the end montage which showed some of the Lionesses’ greatest moments during the tournament
One user said: ‘Were there no female artists available to play the tournament out, BBC?’
Others described it as a ‘slow boring song’ and the BBC needed to ‘amplify awesome women musicians’.
Former front-man of the band, Tom Meighan, was found guilty of domestic abuse in 2020, when he hit his partner over the head and dragged her across the room.
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