BIG BLACK FRIDAY SET FOR TOTAL WHITE-OFF

BRITS will shun the sales and skive off work hoping to watch England and Wales take a fast-track to World Cup glory.

Shops are set to be empty as millions snub Black Friday for the Qatar footie showpiece.

Instead, the British Beer and Pub Association says 30million pints will be necked across England and Wales, with a huge £200m spent on party food.

Chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “There really is no better place to enjoy a game than with a pint in hand at the pub, so we’re encouraging people support two great British institutions at once.’’

The booze-fest will give the ale industry a £100million shot in the arm as its battles to recover from the Covid lockdown.

But there will be a £190m slump in Black Friday shopping due to empty stores in the evening, says a study for VoucherCodes.co.uk.

It comes as legal firm Clough & Willis says it has seen a 250% surge in inquiries from bosses about employees bunking off.

And as many as 11million employees could take a dodgy day during the course of the Qatar World Cup, according to a YouGov Poll.

TODAY, as modern footballers like to say, we go again.

England can book a spot in the last 16 of the World Cup if they beat the good ol’ US of A.

And Wales can give themselves a cracking chance of joining the Three Lions if they see off Iran this morning.

Both home nations will be on a massive high after their first matches.

So let’s hope they can keep up the great work.

There may have been some shock results this week. But our teams can’t allow the same complacency that Argentina and Germany let seep into their performances.

Remember: we are not at home to Mr Cock-up!