On the radio this morning...

[rhythmaning]

On the radio this morning was a most entertaining piece of news: the English Football Association (the FA) have announced that they would like English football hooligans fans to refrain from singing football songs and chants that might upset the hosts of the next World Cup - that is, Germany.

Given that it is customary for the fans to whistle the theme from "the Great Escape" whenever an English player approaches the ball, this is a most amusing prospect.

The news article was made even funnier when the FA spokesman said it wasn't so much what was sung as the attitude with which it was sung. Radio 5Live presenter Nicky Campbell then asked whether if "Rule Britannia" could be sung sweetly, it would be ok - and proceeded in true Chris Morris ("The Day Today") fashion to ask how aggressively and loudly Rule Britannia would have to be sung before it was deemed offensive. "This loud? This loud? This loud?"

It was very, very funny. And I look forward to the silent terraces in June.

Comments

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

I wonder if the German's are expected to be equally restrained? I seem to remember their claim to be "uber alles" being put rather loudly around Nuremberg way.

And how long are we going to get away with that little ditty about "Proud Edwards Army"?