The Prime Minister was asked whether he backed the England manager’s call for children to stay up for the Mexico game
Parents should ‘make their own decision’ as to whether schoolchildren should stay up to watch England’s 1am World Cup match on Monday, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
The Prime Minister’s spokesperson was asked whether Sir Keir backed England manager Thomas Tuchel’s call for children to stay up late and watch the match. The game against Mexico kicks off at 1am on Monday morning.
“We want everyone to enjoy the game but kids should be in school on Monday,” the Prime Minister’s spokeswoman said. Sir Keir will face the ‘same dilemma’ as other England fans over whether to stay up, she said.
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“The PM has his usual packed schedule on Monday, so he’ll be facing the same dilemma as everyone else on whether to stay up. Win or lose, I think millions of England supporters will be at work on Monday, and the PM will be doing the same.”
Skills minister Baroness Jacqui Smith earlier said she planned to take a ‘disco nap’ on Sunday afternoon and then stay up late to watch the match. Schools and employers have often allowed England games in the latter stages of major tournaments to be shown during working hours, but Monday’s early-morning kick-off poses a unique obstacle.
“Write an excuse for school and let them watch football,” Tuchel pleaded after Harry Kane’s two late goals saw England squeeze through the round of 32. “Come on.
“There’s so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch. There will be a big, big match on in four days and we need the support of everyone, and especially of the children.”
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