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FA chairman condemns World War II chants during Germany friendly

Action Images via Reuters / Carl Recine Livepic

FA chairman Greg Clarke chided England supporters who chanted World War II songs and jeered Germany's national anthem during Wednesday's friendly in Dortmund.

A section of supporters at the Westfalenstadion were captured on television singing "Ten German Bombers," and mimicked the flight of aircraft to provoke feelings about World Wars I and II. The country's national anthem, "Deutschlandlied," was also booed by the travelling fans, even though their German counterparts respectfully observed and applauded the preceding rendition of "God Save the Queen."

"The behaviour of a section of the England support in Dortmund last night was inappropriate, disrespectful, and disappointing," said Clarke in a statement.

"The FA has consistently urged supporters to show respect and not to chant songs that could be regarded as insulting to others. Individuals who engage in such behaviour do not represent the overwhelming majority of England fans nor the values and identity we should aspire to as a football nation."

Clarke confirmed the FA is working with the England Supporters Travel Club and the Football Supporters' Federation (FSF) to eradicate hateful rhetoric.

In a separate statement, the FSF also condemned the chants and bemoaned those England supporters who lack the "imagination that goes into our club football songs."

The chanting came hours after a terrorist attack in the heart of London killed three people, including an unarmed police officer.

England manager Gareth Southgate didn't offer much of a reprimand after Germany's 1-0 win over the Three Lions.

"Obviously our travelling support in terms of number and the way they back the team is brilliant," he said, according to PA Sport. "We would encourage them to do that in the right way at all times."

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