Mad Dogs: England, the Media and English Supporters during Euro ’96 and France ’98

Abstract

The similarities between the England national team’s performances in the 1996 European Championships (Euro ’96, held in England) and the 1998 World Cup (held in France) are worth noting. Both competitions saw the team struggle initially, then progress to the latter stages only to come unstuck in penalty shoot-outs. Euro ’96 and France ’98 also saw England compete against nations, Germany and Argentina, with whom Britain had been at war with in the relatively recent past. To the indignation of the national press and in a manner underlining the wider decline in influence and power of the country on the international political stage, England lost both matches.