The FA have called on England fans to behave themselves in Portugal next week after releasing a video to highlight the issue of anti-social behaviour across English football.
The video, entitled ‘Don’t Be That Idiot, acts out extreme examples of unacceptable behaviour but within a formal setting to emphasise the embarrassment caused. It ends with England manager Gareth Southgate saying: ‘You’re part of our team, make the country proud’.
While the video is aimed at tackling the wider issue of anti-social behaviour across English football, it has been released just one week before Three Lions fans travel to Portugal to watch their side face the Netherlands in the Nations League semi-finals.
There have been problems with travelling supporters in the past and between September 2014 and March 2019, the FA issued 127 suspensions from the England Supporters Travel club and 237 warnings
In March 2018, for England’s match with the Netherlands in Amsterdam, there were 32 England Supporters Travel club suspensions alone.
The FA hope their new video can help combat anti-social behaviour and the governing body’s CEO, Martin Glenn said: “It has been a great season for English football and England but we can’t ignore some of the anti-social and embarrassing behaviour that has crept back into the game.
“There are thousands of brilliant supporters wherever our teams go, but there is an increasing problem that must be called out. We all have a responsibility to represent the country in the right way and that is what we are trying to highlight.”
Deputy Chief Constable Mark Roberts, National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Football Policing Lead, added: “The reputation of English football fans has been damaged over the years as we often see a stag-do mentality where too much alcohol is consumed, which results in offensive behaviour and disorder.”
