FIFA warn England they could be punished if fans sing Brexit songs

England fans have been issued with a stark warning from FIFA not to sing pro-Brexit songs at the World Cup. 

Football’s global governing body said the FA faced punishment if England fans were caught making reference to the 2016 EU referendum in their match against Belgium on Thursday. 

It is feared the match could be fraught with political tension since Brussels is at the centre of the ongoing Brexit negotiations. 

England fans celebrate at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group G football match between England and Panama at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Sunday

According to a FIFA spokesperson, ‘displaying insulting or political slogans in any form’ and ‘uttering insulting words or sounds’ will be met with strict disciplinary measures.

‘Of course, there is a risk of some kind of punishment to the FA,’ the spokesperson added.

England fans caused controversy at the 2016 European Championships in France by singing songs about Brexit.

Before the vote, which took place on June 26 in the middle of the tournament, supporters were heard singing ‘f*** off Europe, we’re all voting out’.

While after the results were announced the song morphed into ‘f*** of Europe, we all voted out’.

A number of fans have already been brought up on charges of singing anti-semitic songs in Russia

Although there has been no evidence of anti-European sentiment expressed by fans so far at the tournament in Russia – several fans have already been arrested over anti-semitic chants. 

Supporters who had travelled to Russia were caught on camera last week allegedly singing an anti-Semitic song and performing Nazi salutes in a pub.

One supporter has already been banned from attending England games for five years over the incident, while two other fans had their cases adjourned until Tuesday. 

The FA said: ‘The disgraceful conduct of the individuals in this video does not represent the values of the majority of English football fans supporting the team in Russia.’