Good Morning Britain medic Doctor Amir Khan has risked a huge backlash by telling football fans not to sing and chant in pubs while watching Euro 2020 matches, reminding them that it's currently illegal to do so.
The delayed tournament kicks off on today, Friday, June 11, with Turkey v Italy the first game and then after games involving the likes of Wales, Belgium and Russia on Saturday, millions will be tuning in from their sofas, beer gardens and pubs to see England open their account against Croatia on Sunday.
Having missed out on Euro 2020 last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, footy enthusiasts are chomping at the bit to watch the games and cheer along Gareth Southgate's England.
But TV medic Dr Amir has urged caution and advised against belting out football anthems like Three Lions and Vindaloo if you're watching matches down the local.
Dr Amir on Friday's programme and host Ben Shephard told him he felt big groups singing in pubs was "a real concern"
The GP replied: "Exactly, emotions will be running high, it’s a great weekend for football.
‘It’s great that people can go to pubs to watch it but it’s now illegal to sing and dance and pub owners could be fined for it, and the reason for it, I feel like a party pooper here!’
"Don't get me wrong, I love singing 'football's coming home,' but it does generate aerosol particles when people sing loudly.
"The cumulative effect, when there's lots of people singing indoors; you've got aerosol particles going off."
While admitting he knew it would be hard to police and for fans to hold back when supporting their team , Dr Amir added: "Outdoors is less problematic because there’s breezes and things to move particles along. It’s more about indoor singing.
"But it will be difficult to police. I think people will find it difficult to control their emotions."
Fans weren't too impressed by Dr Amir's 'party pooping' with one tweeting: "How’s talking any different to singing??? Someone educate me please. I’m having difficulty understanding the rules."
Another reacted: "Illegal to dance in a pub, just let that sink in for a minute...It's quite literally one of the funniest things I've ever heard, why bother having the vaccine, that's the question if you can't even dance in a pub, it's all absolute madness, enough is enough," a third posted: "Good luck trying to stop a pub full of people to stop celebrating if England win a game"
