Eric Dier has called on England’s fans to behave “in the right way” at Wembley on Sunday after the unsavoury chanting from a section of those who attended the defeat by Germany in Dortmund on Wednesday.
England supporters booed the German national anthem and, during the match, went through a range of songs about the first and second world wars, plus one attacking the IRA. The Football Association’s chairman, Greg Clarke, described the behaviour as “inappropriate, disrespectful and disappointing” and Dier, who played the whole of the midweek 1-0 loss, added to the condemnation.
“In general the fans have been fantastic with us,” the Tottenham Hotspur player said. “Wherever we go they’re always fantastic, the support they given us is amazing, but all we ask is they support us in the right way and be respectful. And of course because of the dreadful stuff that’s happened over the last couple of days in London, we just hope the fans will be very respectful of that.”
The FA is liaising with the UK Football Policing Unit with a view to banning those responsible for Wednesday’s chanting and has emailed members of the England Supporters Club reminding them of their responsibilities before World Cup qualifier against Lithuania. The email said “any member identified as being involved in antisocial, xenophobic or disrespectful behaviour will be banned from the membership with immediate effect”. It also asked that relevant footage or photographs from Dortmund be shared with the FA in confidence.
Joe Hart will captain England in the absence of the suspended Gary Cahill, the injured Jordan Henderson and the dropped Wayne Rooney. The goalkeeper, while not condoning Wednesday’s behaviour, has defended the majority of those who follow the national team.
“I can’t speak highly enough [of them],” said the 29-year-old, who will earn his 70th cap. “We fill everywhere we go and we get supported everywhere we go, as far as my ears can hear. It is a difficult one but from the many squads and the tournaments I have been to they have been fantastic. San Marino keeps springing out – we had the whole stadium there and people up in hills and people in trees. So the support is appreciated.”
England are seeking a fourth win from five qualifying matches to ensure they remain top of Group F in what will be Gareth Southgate’s first competitive game as full-time manager. The 46-year-old, who invited the England rugby union head coach, Eddie Jones, to speak to his squad at their Hertfordshire base on Friday, has called up the Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson following Chris Smalling’s withdrawal with an injury sustained late on against Germany.
Jamie Vardy is also struggling with fitness, so Marcus Rashford may start in attack for England, who are expected to revert to a four-man defence having been deployed in a 3-4-2-1 formation by Southgate in midweek.
Before Sunday’s match there will be a minute’s silence for the victims of Wednesday’s terrorist attack in London and a wreath-laying ceremony. Players from both sides will wear black armbands, something the FA had planned anyway in remembrance of the former England manager Graham Taylor following his death at the age of 72 in January. Taylor’s widow, Rita, has been invited to attend, along with other members of the family.
