Johnson casts doubt over England’s World Cup after spy poisoning

ENGLAND’S World Cup is in doubt if Russia is linked to the suspected poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has warned.

Johnson (right) said that it would be “very difficult to imagine that UK representation” at the World Cup in Russia could “go ahead in the normal way” this summer if Russian links were proven in the Salisbury contamination scare. A source close to Mr Johnson later said he was talking about a scenario in which British “officials and dignitaries” may not attend, adding he is not seeking to push for Gareth Southgate’s side to be withdrawn from the tournament. He added: “For my own part, I think it will be very difficult to see how we can, I am thinking ahead to the World Cup this July this summer (sic). We’d certainly have to consider that.” England will face Belgium, Panama and Tunisia in the group stages of the competition, which begins on June 14 in Moscow when Russia take on Saudi Arabia.