Frank Skinner has spoken out on whether his iconic footie tune, Three Lions, might be too “un-woke” for today’s crowds as England prepare for the Euro 2024 knock-outs.
The banger, created with David Baddiel and The Lightning Seeds, is set to echo around the country this Sunday when Harry Kane marches out with the team, having already conquered the charts four times and becoming an unofficial battle cry for the fans.
Yet, FA chiefs once nearly axed the track. Back in 1996, FA chiefs were on the brink of ditching their backing for the song as the official anthem for Euro 96, amid fears some of the lyrics could spark violence.
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Ex-FA media boss Steve Double was particularly concerned about the line “Butcher at war”, nodding to Terry Butcher’s infamous bloodied appearance, thinking it might rile up the rowdy crowd. After a fiery disagreement with the band’s reps and a grilling from The Lightning Seeds’ record company, the line got swapped for “that tackle by Moore”, reports the Express.
Concerns were also raised in 2022, with the FA eventually confirming Three Lions would be played at England fixtures in Qatar, despite fears it would “offend other nations”. Sweet Caroline was tipped to replace the anthem.
(Image: (Image: Mirrorpix))
Speaking on Heart Breakfast, comic Frank Skinner waded into the debate about the beloved footie anthem after host Jamie Theakston asked if there was any truth in it being axed. Frank said: “I think there’s a worry that it might be seen as a bit, I suppose, un-woke because it doesn’t talk about the world, it talks about England as if it’s special.”
Co-host Amanda Holden, quipped: “Well we are… we were.”
Skinner replied: “Apparently calling England the home of football upsets the other federations.”
Jamie joked no one would want to upset FIFA – football’s governing body.
(Image: (Image: Heart Radio))
Baddiel has previously opened up about the song being seen as offensive. Speaking to The Sun, he said: “I think it’s the notion – misinterpreted by many people – that football’s coming home means that England owns football and we are the homeland of football. Which historically is the case. We were the first one to ratify the rules of the game.
“But somehow that’s offensive to other FAs – like the Croatian FA or whatever.”
In 2022, amid reports the song would be axed, the FA said: “The FA still plays Three Lions at major Wembley matches and has never had any intention of doing otherwise.”
“The song belongs to the fans and is about the hope of following the England team.”
“It was requested by the FA to be played as one of our team songs at the 2018 World Cup and at the EUROs last summer, and this is our plan at tournaments going forwards.”
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