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The prospect of a victory parade for England’s players if they win the World Cup is being threatened by an unlikely combination of transport strikes and Christmas shoppers.
While talks over a parade will not begin unless England beat France to reach the semi-finals, those involved have privately acknowledged that the logistics of arranging a national celebration next week are hugely challenging.
England are due to fly back on Monday December 19 if they reach the final, leaving the following day as the only possible date for a parade, as the clubs want their players back as soon as possible.
England may not get to have a victory parade if they win in Qatar due to transport strikes
Both Manchester clubs, Liverpool and Newcastle have Carabao Cup ties that midweek, while all the Premier League sides return to action on Boxing Day.
In addition to the tight timetable, widespread strike action from railway workers is another complicating factor, as are concerns about road closures in London causing problems for retailers in the build-up to Christmas.
Any parade in London would be organised by the Greater London Authority and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police.
The last mass celebration of sports stars in London was a two-mile parade of Team GB’s Olympic medalists' following the 2012 Games, with England’s Ashes heroes given similar treatment seven years earlier, and a World Cup victory would spark demand for another national party.
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