The England national team's World Cup campaign has brought joy to many fans, and now it's bringing a challenge to venues and the government. Pubs have been allowed to stay open until 5am to accommodate fans cheering on the team.
With England facing Mexico in the last 16, fans may be up as late as 5am if the game is delayed by an hour, and in the event of a tie going to extra time and penalties. This has led to concerns about the need for venues to be prepared for punters to stay longer than anticipated.
Fans are now calling for the government to grant an extra bank holiday on Monday to allow people to stay up and cheer on the squad without losing out on sleep. England boss Thomas Tuchel has already told parents they should let their kids stay up and "write an excuse for school" the next day.
Garford Beck, a superfan who is embarking on a 47-hour road trip to Mexico City to support the team, believes a bank holiday would allow all supporters to enjoy the game. "I want as many people as possible to be able to get behind Thomas and the boys and watch the game back home," he said.
Beck supports calls for Monday to be granted Bank Holiday status, citing the importance of the game and the chaotic scenes that are likely to unfold. He also backs calls for children to be allowed to stay up to watch the game, stating that "there is no way they are going to be fit for work" the next day.
The demands of English fans back home for a bank holiday hinge on the decision to give Scotland a day off on June 15th to mark their World Cup opener against Haiti.
