To not support England?!

I'm supporting France as my 3rd team behind England and Scotland. I've got them in the office sweepstake and took home the pot last time I got them. Plus, I like France and it's almost a second home for me.

Honestly it’s not that deep.

I’m a passionate fan, hate was probably the wrong word but unfortunately I can’t turn my feelings off at the end of the season and suddenly get behind the players I have disliked from Aug-May.

Like I’ve said in a previous post it wouldn’t bother me at all if England did well or even won it, I’m not ‘rabid’ enough to be supporting whoever plays against them, I simply just wont be cheering them on. I’m gonna enjoy the World Cup as a football fan but just not support anyone in particular. Not sure how I’m part of any “problem”.

You don't have to support any team that you don't want to support.

You can live in a country and not be that nationality and therefore not support that team in a national competition.

Supporting Scotland is a lovely way for you to still feel involved.

In the past I've been involved in sweepstakes for international sports competitions which has given me a team to follow even when Wales hasn't made it.

I see the comments saying "why would you set up home in a country and not support the national team" and I remember living in England during rugby world cups as a Welsh person and there was no way on earth that I would've switched loyalty! I have cousins who've been born in England and raised in England who have a Welsh parent and have played international sport for Wales. They are not going to support England in a sports competition even if they live and work in England.

I live in Wales and we have friends from England, Scotland, France and other countries. They will support their own home nations during the World Cup as is their right. They still engage fully in the community, they love living and working here and we love having them here. I would never ever expect or request or demand that they support Wales just because they live here.

Guess you haven't heard of the Old Firm? I also imagine domestic violence is the same across any country or club playing.

Can you be specific about recent poor behaviour involving travelling England fans?

It's easy to gush sentimental about the 'Tartan army' when they rarely qualify for major tournaments and are usually only involved for a short time (not slagging them off, it's simply the truth). Given the extremely poor behaviour seen by fans of certain teams in the Scottish domestic league, it's wishful thinking to imagine that Scottish fans as a whole are any 'better' than England fans.

well I guess we just have different bars

That was bad but it was an isolated incident which was widely and instantly condemned by everyone in the footballing world. Hardly indicative of the majority of England fans, who on the whole are as well behaved as any other group of international fans.

Oh come on. I'm an England supporter and even I can see that England fans have had a well earned reputation over the years. Domestic violence increases when England play, for a start. This isn't just by a few percentage points either - by 26% even if England win or draw and by 38% if they lose.

Given the recent penchant for adorning lamp posts and roundabouts with the George Cross to mark their territory, there's a hard core who are even more primed to cause trouble this time around.

I support the England team, and I want them to do well. But I'd much rather see the Tartan Army celebrating in the streets if we're talking about the fans.

Well spraying offensive graffiti over a mural of Marcus rashford because he missed a penalty was pretty bad….hundreds of racist comments on Saka and Sancho’s social media….appreciate that was the euros but I felt truly ashamed to be English that day

Ok no worries.

I'm supporting France. No reason. I haven't told my colleagues though as they're all ardent England supporters. I like to pick a different team each tournament. I think it's because I don't really care.

Looks like I can't but sorry for the snappiness.

Can you give a clue about the nature of them?

Don’t worry, I’m not even on here that often and I can see what is going on as I have seen the other threads. I’m sure others know too.

Thank you.

I think that's the least of your worries. I have no idea why I am being personally attacked by you. I have no idea who you are.

I am sorry. I will edit the post.

I suspect the main problem English fans have is the reputation going before them and then they get attacked by opposition fans.

Oh wait, I'm getting the personal attacks now?

Fair enough. I will probably get in trouble if I link the threads.

I don't know who it is!

Are you really this desperate for attention?

Nah.

It is the rabid hatred. You won't support England because you "hate" (your words iirc) the players who play for PL teams?

That is part of the problem.

I support Sheffield Wednesday - i don't hate United or their fans. I support my local team (not in UK) but i don't hate all the other kwague teams. That is why so many people really can't stand football.

Probably “being a bit common”. MN hanging offence.