Shilton in World plea

PETER SHILTON has warned that boycotting the World Cup finals would damage English football – and the UK as a whole – more than hosts Russia.

England’s most-capped footballer says the FA should only stay away if they are joined in a walkout by other western nations in protest at the Salisbury nerve agent outrage.

Goalkeeping legend Shilton, who won a record 125 caps, said: “It would probably hurt the FA and the UK more to withdraw unless a united front of boycott is offered from other western countries.

“Football shouldn’t be used for politics.”