England fans are pleading for an extra bank holiday on Monday to recover from the late-night World Cup match against Mexico, after the Three Lions secured a dramatic last-minute win over DR Congo. The round of 16 clash kicks off at 1am, potentially keeping fans up until 4am if extra time and penalties are needed.
Fan and political pressure mounts
Garford Beck, founder of EnglandFans FC, said: "I want as many people as possible to be able to get behind Thomas and the boys and watch the game back home. Given the importance of the game and the chaotic scenes that’s bound to unfold, I support calls for Monday to be granted Bank Holiday status." He added that children should be allowed to stay up and that adults "will most likely drink copious amounts of alcohol" making them unfit for work.
Fans point to the Scottish government granting a bank holiday on June 15 for Scotland's World Cup opener against Haiti. One fan posted: "Scotland got a Bank Holiday on a Monday when their game was technically Saturday night. Surely we should get Monday off." Another wrote: "Ok Scottish government gave a Bank Holiday for a late game. England now has one, over to you Mr PM!!!"
Government response and logistics
Granting a one-off bank holiday requires government approval and a proclamation from the King, which appears unlikely. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government stated they are "backing the England team all the way" but noted that "the current pattern of bank and public holidays is well established."
A survey of 1,100 managers by the Chartered Management Institute found only one in five employers plan to offer flexible working hours for the match. Meanwhile, research from AO.com revealed more than a quarter of people are considering "throwing a sickie" or calling in late if England won an early morning match.
Pubs face licensing hurdles
The Home Office has relaxed licensing laws for the World Cup, allowing venues to stay open until 1am for games between 5pm and 9pm, and until 2am for kick-offs between 9pm and 10pm. However, no provisions exist for 1am starts, meaning pubs must apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) licence from their local council. Communities Secretary Steve Reed has urged councils to grant TENs, but restrictions mean most pubs will be forced to close.
The Liberal Democrats have called for an emergency blanket licensing extension for hospitality venues. Max Wilkinson MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Home Affairs, said: "Pubs face missing out on a much needed opportunity to get more money into the till and England fans will be missing out on the opportunity to watch their team together in their local with a beer for the biggest game of the tournament so far."
Schools face flexibility calls
England boss Thomas Tuchel has encouraged parents to let children stay up and "write an excuse for school" the next day. Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: "School leaders are best-placed to make decisions over allowances to recognise the timing of the England versus Mexico match... What we would hope is that the Department for Education recognises the need to allow schools flexibility over how they respond to this unique situation and does not score an own goal by rigidly insisting that it must be business as normal."
Nigel Huddleston, Shadow Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, appealed for "all bosses, where possible, to be flexible about working hours on Monday."
