FIFA "will ban any England or Belgium player if they try to earn a deliberate yellow card to seek an easier path to the final" when the teams meet on Thursday, according to Martyn Ziegler of the LONDON TIMES. Finishing second in group G "could be preferable to winning in terms of the likely opposition" in the quarterfinals and semifinals and both sides "are exactly level on points, goal difference and goals scored." England tops the group, "having had two cautions to Belgium’s three," so if the match ends in a draw without any further cards shown, then Gareth Southgate’s side would go through to the second round as group winner, with a possible quarterfinal against Brazil or Germany "on the horizon." Some commentators "have suggested that England should be wily and pick up a couple of bookings on purpose" if the match is heading for a draw to finish in second and aim for a possible quarterfinal against Mexico or Switzerland (LONDON TIMES, 6/25).
'RISKING PUNISHMENT': In London, Ben Rumsby reported England fans "have been warned any pro-Brexit chants" during the game against Belgium risk punishment by FIFA. The governing body said that the FA would be sanctioned if Three Lions supporters breach its rules on "displaying insulting or political slogans in any form" and "uttering insulting words or sounds" during Thursday's match. A FIFA spokesperson said, "Of course, there is a risk of some kind of punishment to the FA" (TELEGRAPH, 6/25).
