Republic of Ireland fans were filmed taunting England fans with chants of ‘Lizzie’s in a box’ ahead of Saturday’s Nations League clash between the two sides.
The day before the second anniversary of the death of Elizabeth II, England sealed a 2-0 win over Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin with Declan Rice and Jack Grealish on the score sheet.
Ahead of kick-off, a group of Irish supporters were filmed singing the chant at full volume outside a Dublin pub as England fans were escorted by police on the other side of the road.
There was a heavy Garda presence around Dublin from Friday night with The Irish Times reporting at least three men were arrested over the weekend. No injuries were reported.
The offensive chant was also heard being sung by a small section of Scotland fans during Euro 2024 in Dusseldorf.
The build-up to Saturday’s match was dominated by comments from England boss Lee Carsley who said he would not sing the national anthem.
Carsley, a former Republic of Ireland international, was true to his word ahead of kick-off with ‘God Save the King’ drowned out by boos around the Aviva Stadium.
England stars Rice and Grealish, who both represented Ireland at youth level with the Arsenal star also making three appearances for the senior side, were also targeted by home supporters with boos before kick-off and during the match.
Rice opened the scoring after 11 minutes with Grealish adding salt to the wounds by adding a second 15 minutes later.
Rice refused to celebrate his opener, insisting it would have been ‘really disrespectful’ having had an ‘amazing time’ playing for the Boys In Green before declaring for England.
‘My nan and grandad on my dad’s side of the family are all Irish, they’ve obviously passed away and aren’t here anymore.’
‘I think to have celebrated would have been really disrespectful of me with them not being here anymore.
‘And with them being my dad’s parents, I didn’t want to do that to be honest with you.
‘I had such an amazing time playing for Ireland, in the first-team, the Under-19s, the Under-21s, they were great memories that live with me.
‘I don’t have a bad word to say to be honest with you. I wish them all the best like I always do with anyone.’
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