MILLIONS of footie-mad workers could be sacked for pulling a sickie after the first match of the Euros, a legal expert warns.
The tournament – hosted in Germany – kicks off on Friday, with England‘s opening game on Sunday as they bid to win their first major trophy in 58 years.
With many Three Lions fans expected to watch the match down the pub, many could be tempted to stay in bed on Monday with a hangover.
However, employment lawyers at Richard Nelson LLP have encouraged football supporters to think twice before faking illness.
It comes after office worker Nina Farooqi was sacked after her bosses spotted her on TV celebrating a Harry Kane goal at Wembley during Euro 2020.
Jayne Harrison, head of employment law at the firm, said with England this year’s favourites, excitement is likely to “reach fever pitch over the coming days”.
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But she warned people to be careful.
“If an employer thinks their employee has called in sick and it is not genuine – such as to recover from a hangover – then they can investigate the case and may take disciplinary action over unauthorised absence,” she said.
“For those wanting to indulge on Sunday night we’d encourage you to book annual leave for the following Monday, avoiding not turning up for work at all or worse being dismissed.”
She added: “Over the last few years companies across the country have embraced flexible working and we’d encourage them to do so during the Euros.”
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This has included companies allowing staff to finish early or work remotely.
Nina, then-37 had wrapped an England flag around her and was seated right behind the goal for the magical moment as the Three Lions defeated Denmark.
But she was brought back down to earth with a bump when her boss called her the morning after to fire her for going to the historic game.
Nina, from Ilkley, Bradford, had pulled a sickie to go to the game with her pal who had won a last minute ticket in a ballot.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Nina said: “It’s mixed emotions: we’re through to the final, I’m still on that high, but I’ve also lost my job.”
Footie fans were given similar warnings ahead of the World Cup in Qatar in November 2022.
One in three Brits planned to “pull a sickie” for England’s opening game – which fell during the working day, according to a poll of 2,000 people.
How England are likely to line up on Sunday
England kick off Euro 2024 on Sunday. But how are they likely to line-up?
Key Man: Jude Bellingham
Arguably the best player on the planet right now.
His world class performances at Real Madrid give England the perfect platform to dominate big games.
Likely line-up
Southgate doesn’t experiment much, so the team is certain to play 4-2-3-1, with many of the players locked in.
The only real doubts are who plays at left-back, where Luke Shaw will play if fit or if not it will probably be Kieran Trippier.
And alongside Declan Rice in midfield where Kobbie Mainoo and Trent Alexander-Arnold will be the main contenders, along with Conor Gallagher.
Much will depend on just how daring Southgate decides to be.
Prediction
England are firm favourites to top the table after their very friendly draw, and would be set to play the best third placed team from Group D/E/F.
SunSport reckon that it could be one of Austria, Czech Republic or Slovakia.
Progressing from the last 16 would set up a predicted tie against Italy in the quarter-final on July 6.
The game would be a rematch of the Euro 2020 final, which the Italians won on penalties.
England could then play France in the semi-final, giving Harry Kane a chance to get revenge on Les Bleus after his missed penalty in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final.
In the final, the likes of Germany, Spain, Portugal could be the opponents. England will do well to equal their run to the final of Euro 2020
If correct, it meant a third of workers really do call in sick that means 11 million fans could be dodging their jobs to watch the Three Lions.
England will be based in Blankenhain in the east German countryside for the tournament, and are set to stay at the five-star Weimarer Land Spa and Golf resort.
Boss Gareth Southgate made the controversial decision to drop Manchester City winger Jack Grealish, 28, along with Tottenham playmaker James Maddison, 27, from his squad ahead of the tournament.
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire, 31, has also not travelled with the team, due to ongoing injury recovery.
However, the Three Lions have been boosted today with all players, including injury-doubt Luke Shaw – taking part in the first training session.
Southgate has taken inspiration from Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann in his preparation.
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That’s seen England borrow a big screen from RB Leipzig to help with their sessions.
The screen will allow Southgate to forensically analyse videos from training and lecture his players after sessions.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
