Russia GOADS Theresa May and Prince William over England World Cup snub
GETTY Prince William and government ministers barred from visiting Moscow for the tournament
The boycott is due to the souring in relations over the nerve agent poisoning of ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia four months ago. Moscow strenuously denies any role in the use of a chemical weapon in Salisbury. Sputnik news agency - which is state-funded and seen by critics as part of Vladimir Putin’s propaganda machine - acknowledged England could reach the final after defeating Colombia. “But that will leave Theresa May with a political dilemma,” warned a report.
England players react to beating Colombia in the World Cup Round of 16 Wed, July 4, 2018 England players reacted to beating Colombia in the World Cup Round of 16 Play slideshow Twitter 1 of 14
Does she stick to her guns and boycott Russia at the risk of not being there on what could be the country's biggest sporting event in more than half a century? Sputnik news agency report
“Does she stick to her guns and boycott Russia at the risk of not being there on what could be the country's biggest sporting event in more than half a century? “If she chooses to stay away will Mrs May allow Prince William to represent England.” The Duke of Cambridge is the president of the Football Association. The report also said that Prince Harry had attended an England game at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
GETTY Prince Harry and Prince William attend England vs Algeria during 2010 World Cup in South Africa
“But the princes will only attend games in Russia if the British government deems it politically expedient,” stated the report. A Downing Street spokesman had told Sputnik ahead of the Colombia game that there was no change in the position Mrs May set out previously. President Putin will hand over the World Cup trophy to the winning team at the final on 15 July at Luzhniki stadium sun Moscow. The report said: "Several world leaders have attended games in Russia, including King Felipe VI of Spain, who was pictured with Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev during the game between the two nations on Sunday. 1 July which Russia won on penalties.
GETTY Belgium Prime Minister Charles Michel presenting PM Theresa May with Belgium shirt