Boris Johnson is poised to snub England's football stars by staging his G7 press conference slap bang in the middle of this weekend's crunch match against Croatia.
The Prime Minister, who is a fan of rugby and cricket, is due to begin his closing press conference at the G7 summit in Cornwall moments after the Three Lions kick off at Wembley in their first Euros 2020 fixture on Sunday.
The referee will blow his whistle to get the game underway at 2pm, while Mr Johnson is due to step in front of TV cameras five minutes later.
His spokesman admitted: “It is looking likely there will be a clash I'm afraid, but we will do our best.”
The PM, who as host of the summit could decide when press conferences are scheduled, will instead face addressing a much-diminished television audience as fans tune into Gareth Southgate's men's Group D clash with the Croats.
The revelation will throw further doubt on the Tory leader's claim to be a football supporter.
He gaffed at PMQs this week by forgetting Wales would appear at the championship – just the third time in the Dragons' history they have been involved in a major tournament.
Mr Johnson wished "all the very best to Scotland and England".
But he missed out Wales before adding, after a brief pause: "...and all the Home Nations who may be playing."
The PM has however played football at Wembley.
As London Mayor in 2006, he briefly took to the pitch for an England v Germany “Legends' Match”.
He ran headfirst at waist height into former Stuttgart defender Maurizio Gaudina, sending him tumbling onto the turf.
