How dearly would any and all persons mentioned below get a hold on tickets for tonight's semi-final in Moscow. Puh-leeze ..

England should boycott 2018 World Cup, says Andy Burnham | The Guardian  - May 2015 |

England should boycott the 2018 World Cup because someone needs to take a stand against corruption in Fifa and military aggression by Russia, Andy Burnham, the favourite to be the next Labour leader, has said.

Burnham spoke out amid growing pressure on the English Football Association to do more than condemn Fifa, following a string of bribery charges against senior officials and the refusal of its president, Sepp Blatter, to stand down.

...
John Whittingdale, the culture, media and sport secretary, took a strong position against Fifa in the Sunday Times, writing that "no options should be ruled out" when it comes to European nations boycotting future World Cups if Fifa refuses to get rid of Blatter.

...
The Duke of Cambridge, who is president of the FA, also waded into the controversy by calling on Fifa to "show that it can represent the interests of fair play and put the sport first".

However, Greg Dyke, the chairman of the FA, said it was "ridiculous" to suggest England could take unilateral action without the support of other footballing nations in European and Latin America.

"Politicians come and go, problems they caused the people remain."

○ Boris Johnson says `poisoning' could result in Russian World Cup boycott by Prince William | The Times - March 6, 2018 |
○ Prince Harry says football IS 'most definitely' coming home ahead of England Croatia clash

Time heals all!?

○ Biggest England match for 28 years

"Gareth Southgate and the boys have done a fantastic job, and I wish them all the very best of luck tonight." - PM @Theresa_May #ENGCRO #ENG #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/hLfxFLbaqR

— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) July 11, 2018

See earlier diary - Global Community Gathers in Russia.

'Sapere aude'