Jordan Pickford has asked England fans to forget the history and focus on the football ahead of England’s huge World Cup semi-final with old foes Argentina.
The Everton goalkeeper was asked if he had a message for supporters given the rivalry between the nations and concerns things may boil over in Atlanta on the eve of the game, after Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni urged calm.
‘The message to the Argentine people is that this is a soccer match,’ Scaloni had said. ‘We’re going to face a great team with a great coach, but it is just a soccer match, nothing more than that.’
And Pickford sounded a similar note. ‘It is just a game of football and two passionate sets of fans going there to watch a top-level game,’ he said.
‘That’s what football does. It brings fans together, it brings the nations together and it’ll be, it’s two proud nations, that’s, that’s the key word, and we’re both proud nations. The football will do its talking.’
There will be a significantly increased police presence in Atlanta, with a 50-50 split expected.
Jordan Pickford has asked England fans to forget the history and focus on the football against Argentina
As Daily Mail Sport has previously reported, FIFA continues to turn a blind eye to continued references to the Falklands by Scaloni’s players.
On multiple occasions this newspaper has asked the governing body if it would be taking any action after footage shared online by the Argentina football association and players has showed the group celebrating in their dressing room post-match by belting out the song Muchachos, which includes the line ‘for the Malvinas’, Argentina’s name for the South Atlantic islands it invaded in 1982 to trigger a war which claimed the lives of 907 people.
In the build up to the game Argentina’s foreign minister has reiterated his country’s claim to the islands which has been swiftly dismissed by prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Indeed, FA officials were primed to step in and ask Argentinian journalists not to mention the war after issues at a previous press conference.
Ahead of England’s victory over Norway, Bukayo Saka was asked if he was looking forward to playing in the ‘war derby’, although there was a later claim the question was ‘world derby’ while a female journalist from the UK was told to ‘go home’ when she objected to being barged as reporters tried to question the Three Lions’ players.
Despite a large presence from Argentina on Monday, which included one reporter with a Hand of God tattoo on his leg, proceedings were civil.
‘It’s just solely focus on us as England now, and us being at our best at beating another top nation,’ Pickford added.
‘And it’s us against them to get a place in the final. It’s a game of football, 90 minutes, 120, penalties, we’re ready for anything and it’s us against them and we’re fully prepared for that.’
Police in Atlanta are readying an intense security operation for England’s clash with Argentina
Argentina sang a song about the Falkland Islands to taunt England after beating Switzerland
The Sunderland-born stopper was also asked if he was concerned over the performance of the officials, with some pointing out claims that Argentina appear to have been given favourable treatment during the tournament.
‘Regarding the referees it’s their job,’ he said. ‘We can’t control that narrative and it’s about just focusing us on football.’
Ahead of the arrival of fans, a spokesperson for the Atlanta Police Department said plans were already in place amid an ‘enhanced’ presence.
‘As Atlanta prepares to host an upcoming World Cup semi-final and welcomes increased numbers of residents and visitors, we have enhanced our citywide public safety and security posture,’ they explained.
‘Additional personnel and resources are already deployed and will continue to be strategically assigned in and around the event venues, entertainment districts, and other high-traffic areas to help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
‘These proactive measures are designed to protect the public, deter criminal activity, and ensure residents and visitors can safely enjoy this historic event.’
