News

England Fans Criticized For Chanting ’10 German Bombers’ Song In 1-0 Loss to Germany, Lukas Podoski’s Last International Game

England fans came under fire on social media on Wednesday evening after their chants before the national team’s 1-0 friendly-game loss to Germany in Dortmund were heard loud and clear on television.

England Fans Slammed for Singing World War II Song ’10 German Bombers’ In Loss vs Germany

The first thing England supporters were criticized for was for booing the German national anthem before the game started, after the home fans respectfully sat through England’s anthem.

But it was the fact that English fans began singing the controversial tune ’10 German Bombers’ while Germany’s anthem played before the game that drew the most ire from local supporters.

Radio presenter and former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore called the song “embarrassing,” and many other commentators and journalists seemed irked by the unsportsmanlike display from England fans.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

The tune makes references to World War II, and its chanting was widely—though not completely— condemned by fans viewing at home. Many people seemed to think it was particularly tactless to sing the ‘bombers’ song on the same day there was a terrorist attack outside the British Parliament in London.

Germany won the game 1-0 thanks to a goal from Polish-born former Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski, who found the back of the net with a left-footed shot from outside the penalty box in the 69th minute. Podolski, 31, was playing in his 130th and final game with the German national team.

The striker— who plays for Istanbul-based club Galatasaray—gave a speech before the game, thus kick-off was delayed by a few minutes. Podolski, who helped Germany win the World Cup in 2014, walked off the field at Signal Iduna Park to a standing ovation in the second half. He retires from international soccer with a record 49 goals.

Jamie Vardy had a first-half penalty appeal rejected, and his England teammates Adam Lallana and Dele Alli also had good scoring chances in the first half. Lallana hit the post, while Alli took a shot that was blocked by Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

The loss marked England’s first defeat under new manager Gareth Southgate. Southgate had been undefeated in four games as interim manager following Sam Allardyce’s abrupt departure as England boss after just one game due to a newspaper scandal.

DORTMUND, GERMANY – MARCH 22: Kyle Walker of England (L) and Lukas Podolski of Germany (R) battle for possession during the international friendly match between Germany and England at Signal Iduna Park on March 22, 2017 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Pablo Mena

Writer and assistant editor for usports.org. NY Giants and Rangers fan. Film and TV enthusiast (especially Harry Potter and The Office) and lover of foreign languages and cultures.

Recent Posts

Puka Nacua Heads To IR, Two Other Ram Offensive Lineman Injured In Loss At Detroit

To add insult to injury, Sean McVay announced on Monday that the Los Angeles Rams…

3 hours ago

Panthers Stand By Bryce Young After Benching Him For Andy Dalton

The Panthers named Andy Dalton as their new starting quarterback earlier this week, relieving 2023…

4 hours ago

Kirk Cousins Leads Second Half Atlanta Falcons Comeback Victory Against Philadelphia Eagles

Once known as the worst clutch quarterback in the NFL, Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins…

4 hours ago

Miami Dolphins Place Tua Tagovailoa On Injured Reserve After Concussion

On Tuesday, the Miami Dolphins placed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve with a concussion.…

1 day ago

Bears’ QB Caleb Williams Looks To Put Rough Start Behind Him

The Chicago Bears learned the hard way last week that not all wins are pretty.…

1 day ago

Daniel Jones Facing Immense Pressure From Giants Fanbase After Vikings Loss

Quarterback Daniel Jones has had to field multiple questions about negative Giants fans last week.…

1 day ago