The FA is set to drop the iconic 'Three Lions' anthem as England football team's official World Cup song amid fears it could be seen as arrogant by other countries.
FA chiefs are said to be reviewing other options which would see choruses of Baddiel and Skinner's 'Football's Coming Home' reminiscent of Euro '96 abandoned for a 'less offensive' alternative.
Neil Diamond's beloved 'Sweet Caroline' is currently tipped to replace the classic anthem, but critics have hit out at the FA for the 'woke' decision.
England legend Paul Gascoigne, who was instrumental in the Three Lions' march to the semi-finals at Euro '96, railed against the 'nonsense' idea.
'The FA have totally lost the plot... You can't take that song off us, it would be like saying we can't wave St George's flags anymore,' the 54-year-old told The Sun.
'This woke nonsense has no place in football. It's just a great song.'
The FA is set to drop the iconic 'Three Lions' anthem as England football team's official World Cup song amid fears it could be seen as arrogant by other countries (the song's writers David Baddiel and Frank Skinner are pictured in 1998)
England legend Paul Gascoigne (pictured left in 1996 and right in March), who was instrumental in the Three Lions' march to the semi-finals at Euro '96, railed against the 'nonsense' idea. 'The FA have totally lost the plot... You can't take that song off us, it would be like saying we can't wave St George's flags anymore,' the 54-year-old told The Sun.
FA chiefs are said to be reviewing other options which would see choruses of Baddiel and Skinner's 'Football's Coming Home' reminiscent of Euro '96 abandoned for a 'less offensive' alternative
The 1996 anthem enjoyed a roaring comeback during the 2018 World Cup, in which England got to the semi-finals, and became the first song in UK history to have four spells at No 1 during the tournament
TalkTV presenter Piers Morgan echoed Gazza's sentiment last night and questioned how the song could be seen as offensive given its self-depricating nature.
'This song is all about wallowing in 30 years of pain and hurt and not winning anything - how can anyone say it's arrogant?'
The FA's decision is sure to spark more controversy after UEFA stopped comedians Frank
