Theresa finally gets a present from Brussels!
THEY say sport and politics should never mix. But Theresa May and Belgian leader Charles Michel kicked that old mantra into touch yesterday by exchanging football shirts ahead of the England v Belgium World Cup clash.
Mr Michel put Mrs May on the spot by presenting her with a Belgium jersey as EU leaders gathered in Brussels.
Social media users suggested the shirt contained a hidden Brexit message as it had ‘Hazard’ written on the back – the surname of Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard. But she laughed it off, giving Mr Michel an England shirt in return.
Other EU leaders clearly found it hard to stay neutral. When Mr Michel produced a Belgium scarf, EU Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker began cheering with it.
Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage watched the game in a Brussels bar. Mr Farage referred to the fixture as ‘Farage versus Verhofstadt’ – after he and Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt had earlier taunted each other over the game.