Downing Street Says » Euro 2004

» Wednesday, June 16, 2004

Euro 2004

Asked if there was any concern within Government that England might be thrown out of Euro 2004 because of hooliganism, the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman (PMOS) said that that was a matter for the football authorities. The Prime Minister had been anxious today to send a message, both to those fans in Portugal and at home, that we in no way condoned such activity. Although we recognised that it was being carried out by a small minority, the message had to be sent loudly and clearly that such behaviour would not be tolerated and the police, both here and in Portugal, had our full support in dealing with it. In answer to further questions, the PMOS said that those responsible for the violence, small though they might be in number, should know that they were bringing shame on England by their behaviour.

Asked if the Prime Minister was intending to watch the England v Switzerland match tomorrow, the PMOS said that the Prime Minister would be attending the European Council meeting in Brussels tomorrow, and fortunately – or unfortunately, depending on how you looked at it – that would have to take priority. It went without saying, however, that he would be asking for regular updates on the game. Asked by the Daily Express if the Prime Minister would raise the flag of St George in Downing Street in response to the campaign being waged by the Daily Star, the PMOS said that the Prime Minister was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He was sure that the Daily Express, with its strong tradition and proud heritage, would recognise and accept that point above all. Put to him that the Prime Minister was Scottish in any event, the PMOS agreed there was no denying the fact that the Prime Minister had been born in Scotland.

1 Comment »

So throwing a bottle at a cafe brings shame on the nation, yet dropping thousands of tonnes of high explosive on a predominantly civilian population presumably enhances our national perception.
Comment by Lodjer — 17 Jun 2004 on 1:49 pm | Link

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Euro 2004

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