And The Band Played On - Well, Not Quite!

Last updated : 12 June 2012 By Footy Mad - Editor

s

Sponsors Pukka Pies are to protest to UEFA after the England band was refused entry (with their instruments) into the Euro 2012 encounter with France in Donetsk.

The band have travelled 2,500 miles by road to get to Ukraine for Monday night's game.

But despite assurances from the Football Association and UEFA, the band were not allowed to bring their instruments into the Donbass Arena.

The England band have been a feature of Three Lions games for the past two decades and estimate they have been present for over 300 consecutive matches.

The band were allowed entry once their instruments had been confiscated and the authorities said they will be returned after the final whistle.

Spokesman for Pukka Pies: "We are going to make an official protest about this matter.

"There were no grounds for taking this disgraceful action, which is over-zealous in the extreme.

"Needless to say, we intend the band to be back in its rightful place by the time we get to Kiev for the Sweden game on Friday."