Republic of Ireland supporters during the UEFA Nations League B Group 2 match between Republic of Ireland and England at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo / Getty Images
Republic of Ireland fans have been filmed taunting England supporters with an incendiary song about Elizabeth II the day before the second anniversary of her death.
Footage shared on social media shows a group of them outside a Dublin pub singing “Lizzie’s in a box” before their team’s 2-0 defeat by England in the Nations League on Sunday NZT.
Other supporters were filmed flicking ‘v’ signs although it was not clear whether England fans in the pubs and bars before kick-off were their target.
A ring of steel was put in place for the fixture, and the Garda’s Operation Dearoil operated from Friday until Sunday morning. Around 12,000 England fans had applied for nearly 3,000 tickets.
Police had urged England fans to “respect local culture” ahead of the showdown in the Irish capital but stopped short of calling for them to refrain from anti-IRA or sectarian chanting. Meanwhile, The Irish Times reported at least three men had been arrested by the Garda public order unit following an incident after the match.
