Having been largely absent during England's run to last night's World Cup semi-final, a host of additional English fans travelled to Russia ahead of their country's game against Croatia last night.
Generating immense support from fans at home, England's tournament restored some much-needed faith in the football team's ability to generate positivity, and good-feeling.
However, it appears that some habits die a little harder.
Richard Conway, a sports correspondent with the BBC, has today reported that FIFA have opened 'disciplinary proceedings over "possible discriminatory" chants by England fans' during yesterday's semi-final win.
Breaking: Fifa opens disciplinary proceedings over "possible discriminatory" chants by England fans during Croatia semi-final.
— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) July 12, 2018
Fifa: “We can confirm that a report has been filed through the anti-discrimination monitoring system in relation to chants of a possible discriminatory nature by English fans at yesterday’s match.
“Subsequently, disciplinary proceedings have been opened against The FA.”— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) July 12, 2018
It has also been revealed that the English fans under investigation were believed to have chanting 'No Surrender to the IRA' throughout.
Understand investigation DOES relate to chanting of "no surrender" plus other potentially discriminatory songs.
— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) July 12, 2018
The Telegraph have clarified that it is yet unknown whether the 'No Surrender' chant 'would be deemed a breach of FIFA rules on discrimination.'
Furthermore, they have clarified that the anti-IRA chant 'has been shouted at every one of England’s World Cup matches, although not as audibly as on Wednesday night at a match which witnessed by far the largest following at the tournament for Gareth Southgate’s side.'
