sport news England play match against Italy with just 2,000 children in attendance due to ... trends now

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England and Italy have been greeted by a crowd of around 2,000 children for their Nations League clash at Molineux owing to sanctions imposed on the hosts for the crowd trouble that marred the Euro 2020 final between the two countries.

Players arrived to an eerily-quiet stadium, with only shouts and chants from the children and their guardians punctuating the silence to create an atmosphere akin to a charity match.

There was a humorous moment before kick-off as those inside the venue chanted 'who are ya' at reigning European champions Italy.

The Football Association was hit with a two-match ban, with one suspended, following the behaviour of fans ahead of the Wembley defeat to Italy in the final last summer.

Under UEFA rules, however, school children are allowed free admission to fixtures played behind closed doors. 

The lack of a crowd for a fixture that would have attracted a full house was a hot topic of conversation on social media.