Downing Street today said there were ‘no plans’ for a celebratory Bank Holiday should the Lionesses win the Euros on Sunday.
Sarina Wiegman’s side face a crunch semi-final against Italy tonight as they look to successfully defend the European title they won in 2022.
Should they emerge victorious from this evening’s game, the Lionesses will then face either Germany or Spain in Sunday’s final.
But No10 dashed the hopes of football fans by playing down the prospect of the country being granted a day off should England go on to lift the trophy once again.
This is despite Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer having previously demanded a Bank Holiday when England women’s side won the Euros for the first time in 2022.
He also called for a celebratory day off in 2023, should the Lionesses have won that year’s World Cup – although they were ultimately defeated 1-0 in the final by Spain.
Ahead of this month’s Euros, Sir Keir met with the Lionesses during their training camp prior to the tournament.
The PM also hailed their nervy quarter-final victory over Sweden on penalties last Thursday, writing on X/Twitter: ‘What a team and what a game. Great comeback.
‘Strength, nerve and commitment. One step closer to bringing it home!’
Asked whether the PM will grant a Bank Holiday if England go on to win the whole tournament on Sunday, Sir Keir’s spokesman said: ‘I’m not aware of any plans for that.
‘But when it comes to backing the Lionesses, we are obviously sending best wishes ahead of the semi-final.
‘Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, the semi-final is tonight and the PM sends his best wishes to Sarina, Leah [Williamson] and the whole team.’
In 2022, the previous Tory government ruled out granting an extra Bank Holiday if England won the women’s Euros.
This was despite pressure from Sir Keir, the then Opposition leader, for them to do so.
Ahead of that year’s final, the Labour leader told the Daily Mirror that a Lionesses’ victory should be ‘marked with a proper day of celebration’.
In 2023, when England reached the World Cup final, Sir Keir posted on social media: ‘It’s almost 60 years since England won the World Cup.
‘I’m never complacent about anything… but there should be a celebratory bank holiday if the Lionesses bring it home.’