Germany: We’ll concede 1966 goal if Britain votes ‘Remain’

BERLIN: Germany’s top-selling newspaper Bild has made a lastditch plea for Britons to stay in the European Union, promising to finally concede England’s long-disputed 1966 Wembley World Cup goal if they vote “Remain”.

Bild added that it would “no longer make any jokes about Prince Charles’ ears”, “stop using suncream out of solidarity with your sunburn” and “not field a goalkeeper for the next penalties, to make it more exciting” – with the condition that Britain keeps its faith with the EU.

“Dear Britons, if you stay in the EU, we will recognise the Wembley goal ourselves!” read the daily’s front-page headline on Wednesday as the United Kingdom began casting votes in the knife-edge referendum that could end its EU membership.

The goal was one of the most controversial in the history of the World Cup.

In the 1966 final between England and West Germany, both sides were tied at 2-2 when England striker Geoff Hurst fired a shot in extra time.

The ball hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced off the ground before being cleared by West German defenders.

At the time, the referee was uncertain if it had crossed the goalline.

The linesman, however, determined that it did and the goal was awarded to England, much to West Germany’s dismay.

England went on to win the match 4-2.

The broadsheet Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung also made reference to the Wembley goal on its front-page coverage of the Brexit vote, running a picture of the ball in mid-air with the headline “In or out?”.

German media have come out strongly to ask the British people to remain in the bloc, with various publications putting out countless editorials in the run-up to yesterday’s vote explaining why it is vital for the United Kingdom to stay in the EU.

Der Spiegel last week published an edition with a special bilingual section on the vote.

It also ran a front-page emblazoned with the Union Jack along with the headline: “Please don’t go”.