Yahoo Sport 
Confirmed: Theresa May will not attend the World Cup – even if England make it to the final
Theresa May will not go to Russia to watch England at the World Cup, even if they get to the final.
Downing Street confirmed that the boycott of the World Cup by government ministers will continue despite England’s surprise progress in Russia, being just one game away from the final.
The line of “we take this every game at a time,” appears to have changed to a firmer continuation of the boycott.
A spokesman for May said, “The boycott will continue.”
Matthew Parris says that Theresa May should not go to Russia if England progress in the World Cup #bbcqt pic.twitter.com/hujhaAQjle
— BBC Question Time (@bbcquestiontime) July 5, 2018
The boycott is due to a nerve agent attack on Yulia and Sergei Skripal – a former UK double agent in Russia – that has widely been blamed on Russia. Last week another duo, Dawn Sturgess and Charlie Roley were both taken ill in an incident that is rumoured to be another case of Novichok nerve agent poisoning.
Asked about the possibility of attending the World Cup to support England, May said:
“I have always said that we take this every game at a time, as I think Gareth Southgate has said for his team.
“There was a reason why ministers haven’t been going to Russia.
“It was because of the attack that took place on the streets of a British city, an attack using a chemical weapon, a nerve agent.”
“We have been very clear as to why we took that decision in relation to ministers.”
This continued May’s declaration in March when she said: “There will be no attendance by ministers, or indeed members of the royal family, at this summer’s World cup in Russia.”
Despite ruling out appearing in Russia to watch England play in the semi-final and possibly beyond, May took to social media to praise Gareth Southgate and the England players, saying:
READ MORE: Tottenham legend Alan Gilzean, known as ‘The King of White Hart Lane’, passes away aged 79
READ MORE: White confirms Lesnar will fight Cormier after UFC 226 confrontation
READ MORE: Djokovic cannot ignore England’s success as World Cup invades Wimbledon
“Huge congratulations to Gareth Southgate and his team.
“Another excellent win to make the whole country proud.”
