The participation of the English national football team in the World Cup in Russia was severely criticized by the British media. The Daily Mail columnist protested against the decision of the British football players. He noted that, despite the fact that the nation "goes crazy on football," although the skill of athletes "leaves much to be desired". At the same time, the journalist stressed, "only a few commentators and politicians are ready to protest at least to the slightest extent our protest in the propaganda extravaganza of Putin". The author believes that the upcoming championship for Russia is "a matter of prestige," and asks himself how much he would be affected by the UK's refusal to participate.

Recalling to the Russian authorities all the "sins" of recent years, including the "business of the Violins" and participle in the "assassination" of Arkady Babachenko, the reviewer made an unexpected conclusion about the impending loss of the English national team.

"We have become frivolous people. It seems that it does not matter that we are no longer playing football very well. Our boys will go - and lose, "writes the author. Earlier in the Russian Foreign Ministry said that the British poisoned the Violins specifically to disrupt the World Cup - 2018 in football in Russia, recalls the newspaper. RU.