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UEFA has rejected a request for Frank Skinner and David Baddiel to play Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home) on the pitch ahead of the Euro 2020 final.
Skinner claimed tournament organizers said performing the song at Wembley before England played Italy on Sunday would be “too partisan and unfair to the Italians”.
The comedian pointed out that Italian opera star Andrea Bocelli performed Nessun Dorma at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome before Italy faced Turkey in the Euro 2020 opener.
Skinner said on Channel 4 The last step : “It was suggested that we sing (Three Lions) on the pitch ahead of the final on Sunday and UEFA said it was too partisan and unfair to the Italians to have that.
“In the opening game, which was Italy against Turkey, Andrea Bocelli sang Nessun Dorma before the game.”
In a statement to Sky Sports News, UEFA confirmed that a request from Baddiel and Skinner to play Three Lions at Wembley was received on Friday but that the closing ceremony had “already been finalized”.
“UEFA can confirm that such a request was received yesterday. However, the program for the closing ceremony has already been finalized, and no additional elements can be incorporated at this stage due to operational complexity and timing very tight countdown to kick-off.
The song Three Lions – It’s Coming Home is the fan song selected by the England Football Association, and will be played during the players’ warm-up, as has been the case in previous England matches (with karaoke graphics on giant screens). “
Baddiel and Skinner will now perform the song with the Lightning Seeds in London Concert Hall 229 in front of 200 English fans ahead of the Euro final on Sunday.
Baddiel, Skinner and The Lightning Seeds’ Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home) has become an anthem for English fans since its first release in 1996.
It’s one of the best-selling UK singles of all time, according to the Official Charts Company, and has had four spells at number one.
He rose the charts again this week to number four as the England squad look to win their first major trophy since winning the 1966 World Cup.
Explaining the intended meaning of the song, Baddiel said, “This is about the way we mostly lose but still think irrationally that this time, hope might triumph over experience.
“It’s about desire and magical thinking. It’s about being a football fan. Certainly people have taken (Football’s Coming Home) to mean all kinds of b ***** * s. “
Skinner (right) says UEFA opposed plans for him and Baddiel (center) to perform the song ahead of the Euro 2020 final at Wembley
Ahead of the final, government ministers would be urged not to declare ‘it’s coming home’ while supporting England’s football team, as it makes foreign nations worse.
An information note from the Digital, Culture, Media and Sports Department seen by Home Politics, said the phrase “isn’t going well abroad” and could hurt a potential UK and Ireland bid to host the 2030 World Cup.
Government sources acknowledged the email and said the song would not be featured in a bid to host the 2030 tournament.
But added “the song is about us for us, it’s been a long wait for a finale.”
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