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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

GMB doctor says football fans cannot sing in pubs during Euros

Football fans have been encouraged not to sing if watching the Euros in the pub over the next few weeks.

The sporting competition, which was delayed from last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, begins today (Friday) with Turkey taking on Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

As for the UK nations, Wales will play their first game against Switzerland tomorrow (Saturday), with England taking on Croatia on Sunday before Scotland play the Czech Republic on Monday (June 14).

The tournament, which will run until July 11, is likely to see an increased number of people heading to their local pub to watch the matches unfold.

But it is likely to be a different experience to past competitions.

Good Morning Britain's Dr Amir Khan explained on Friday why football fans should neither sing nor dance when inside the pub.

Appearing on the ITV show, Dr Amir he didn't want to be a "party pooper" but those breaking the rules could force pub owners to be issued fines.

GMB host Ben Shephard started by saying: "It's a real concern, isn't it, that you can't have too big groups in pubs, but actually we're not supposed to be celebrating and we're still not supposed to be singing.

"And of course, they go hand-in-hand - a celebration for a big football tournament where Scotland are there and Wales are there and England are there and all those nations get together. You want to be able to share that experience."

(ITV)

Dr Amir replied: "Yeah, 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.

"An individual, not so much, but the cumulative effect when there's lots of people indoors, you've got aerosol particles."

He added: "Outdoors is less problematic," Amir continued. "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."

The government guidance currently states that, where possible, venues should avoid or discourage audiences cheering, chanting and singing along and lower the volume of music to a level that allows customers to converse without raising their voices.

This includes all hospitality venues including pubs, restaurants, bars and similar places serving food or drink.

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