ENGLAND fans fear falling victim to the “curse of ITV” tonight as the channel always shows the Three Lions being booted from tournaments.
Around 30million supporters will tune in tonight as England take on Denmark in our first Euro semi-final since 1996.
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But to add to the country’s nerves, fans have pointed out ITV always seems to show the Three Lions getting dumped from major competitions.
Only six wins have been broadcast on ITV in 25 years – compared to 17 on the BBC.
Superstitious fans have now taken to social media to pray the curse will be broken tonight.
One said: “Oh well, it was fun while it lasted #CurseofITV.”
Another wrote: “If the bosses at ITV and Boris Johnson really care for the England team, they will announce that the semi-final will be shown by BBC and Gary Lineker.”
While one said: “We’re doomed.”
Others have begged fans not to mention the curse after ITV took the baton from the BBC for tonight’s historic match.
Most of the coverage has been led by Gary Lineker’s team at the BBC – with England beating Croatia, Germany and Ukraine.
Many believe ITV’s curse started in the 1998 World Cup when the Three Lions were sent packing by Argentina in the quarter-finals.
Losses throughout the years include Euro 2000 and England’s heartbreaking semi-final defeat against Crotia.
In total, the team have lost nine matches on ITV and drawn 11.
By comparison, the BBC have shown just three losses and three draws – giving them a 70 per cent success rate.
England will take Denmark on at Wembley at 8pm in front of 60,000 fans to secure a place in the final against Italy on Sunday.
If Gareth Southgate’s men win tonight, it will be the first time since 1966 England have reached a final in a major tournament.
They have appeared in five previous World Cup or European Championship semi-finals – but only advanced once.
England last reached a semi in the 2018 World Cup in Russia when they lost out to Croatia.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
