Sir Keir Starmer is expected to announce that England will receive an extra bank holiday if the men's national team wins the World Cup, according to a report in The Guardian late on Wednesday. The prime minister stopped short of confirming a specific date, but it would most likely fall on Friday 24 July, allowing Thomas Tuchel's squad time to return from the final in New Jersey on Sunday 19 July and giving the Football Association a few days to organize an open-top bus parade through central London.
Starmer's Cautious Promise
Speaking about the potential bank holiday, Starmer said: “On the question of a bank holiday, I think I don’t want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final.” The announcement comes as England's World Cup campaign progresses, with the team currently preparing for the quarter-finals after a dramatic last-16 victory over Mexico.
Team Recharge and Referee Controversy
Tuchel gave his players permission for an offsite family day on Tuesday as the squad recharged following their euphoric win over Mexico. The team left their hotel in Prairie Village, near Kansas City, with many spending time with loved ones away from the World Cup camp. Earlier this week, Tuchel criticized the refereeing standards at the tournament after England's controversial win. “It's just not good enough,” Tuchel told BBC Sport. “The referees are just not good enough; fourth officials are just not good enough. Is this a clear and obvious error for the penalty? For sure not. They overturned a situation where he doesn't even give a foul.”
Red Card Decision Debated
Jarell Quansah was sent off in the 54th minute after a VAR review showed he went in on Jesus Gallardo with his studs up. Darren Cann, the 2010 World Cup final assistant referee, said on BBC One: “It is a clear red card. Quansah does play the ball first but that doesn't matter in the laws of the game. He goes through and you can clearly see the studs on the shin.”
