MORE than 100,000 England fans have signed a petition for a bank holiday on Monday if England win the Euros – and Boris Johnson didn’t rule it out.
The PM today hinted that a national day off could be on the cards if the Three Lions triumph against Italy on Sunday evening but said: “Let’s see what happens”.
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It comes after cheeky supporters bombarded Boris Johnson with requests for a national holiday to celebrate an England win.
Whitehall officials are examining how the nation should mark what would be a historic triumph, Politico reports.
Pressed on whether the nation would be allowed a day to celebrate, the PM’s official spokesman said: “I don’t want to pre-empt the outcome of Sunday’s match.
“Clearly we want England to go all the way and win the final, and then we will set out our plans in due course.
“We will hopefully, when England go on to win, then go on to set out our plans.”
But he ruled out increasing the number of fans allowed to attend Wembley, saying: “There are no plans to extend the capacity.”
Downing Street also said employers who are able to should be flexible about allowing staff to go in to work late on Monday or take the day off if England win – in a boost for hungover Brits.
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This morning, Chancellor Rishi Sunak refused to rule out a snap Euros Bank Holiday on Monday to toast an England win in the final.
And there are rumours Gareth Southgate could be in line for a knighthood if England win the tournament.
Following last night’s 2-1 win over Denmark, millions of England fans went wild last night as Harry Kane’s extra-time goal secured a place in Sunday’s final.
Asked about a possible Bank Holiday Monday if England lift the trophy, the Prime Minister said: “I think that would be tempting fate, let’s see what happens.”
Earlier, Mr Johnson tweeted: “Tonight England played their hearts out.
“What a fantastic performance from Gareth Southgate’s squad. Now to the final.
“Let’s bring it home.”
The PM was immediately faced with demands for an emergency Bank Holiday if England win on Sunday,.
One fan tweeted: “Get an emergency Bank Holiday in Boris lad.”
Another posted: “Time to declare a public holiday on Monday if we win.”
A third said: “Make Monday a Bank Holiday when we win it! ITS F***ING COMING HOME.”
And one joked this morning: “Give us Monday off. Got a stinking hangover at work and can’t do it again, man.”
The government has already extended pub opening hours to 11.15pm on Sunday in case of extra-time and penalties.
Mr Johnson signed off plans for extra drinking time for Sunday night’s Wembley showdown.
Rishi Sunak didn’t say no when asked this morning if the government would give Brits the day off to celebrate a Euros win.
Laughing, the Chancellor told LBC: “You and I may be the only people who were up at this point today.
“But I hope everyone enjoys their extra 45 minutes in the pub on Sunday night.”
Meanwhile, there are calls for Southgate to be made a Sir if he becomes the first England manager since Sir Alf Ramsey to win a trophy.
Star players like Raheem Sterling – who already has an MBE – could also be in line for a gong, Politico reports.
Three Lions boss Southgate would make history if he steered England to their first-ever Euros triumph on Sunday.
If knighted, he would follow in the footsteps of Sir Alf, who led England to victory against West Germany in the 1966 final.
Bobby Robson, who steered England to the 1990 World Cup semi-final, was knighted in 2002 for his services to football.
Manchester United managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Matt Busby have also been knighted after their European and domestic trophy success.
Meanwhile, England fans want a statue of Southgate erected in the town in which he grew up.
They have launched a petition to honour the Three Lions boss in Crawley, West Sussex.
The change.org petition, started during the 2018 World Cup in Russia where England also made the semi-finals, has more than 1,500 signatures.
It reads: “Gareth grew up in Crawley . . . and we believe the council should recognise his achievements with a statue of the man himself!”
The petition has been resurrected following the latest successes.
A council spokesman said: “We’re tremendously proud of what Gareth Southgate has achieved.
“He’s a son of Crawley who grew up here, went to school here and learnt a lot of his football here so we want to recognise his achievements. Nothing has been ruled out.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
