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Germans offer to concede 1966 goal if UK stays in EU

AFP
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Germans offer to concede 1966 goal if UK stays in EU
The disputed 1966 Wembley World Cup goal. In or out? Britain is also asking this question on Thursday. Photo: DPA.

Germany's top-selling newspaper Bild made a last-ditch plea for Britons to stay in the EU on Thursday, promising to finally concede England's long-disputed 1966 Wembley World Cup goal if they vote "Remain".

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Bild also said 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" - if
Britain keeps its faith with the European Union.

"Dear Britons, if you stay in the EU, we will recognize the Wembley goal ourselves!" read the daily's front-page headline as the United Kingdom began voting in the knife-edge referendum that could end its EU membership.

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

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, and the referee was uncertain if it had crossed the goal-line.

The linesman however determined that it did, and the goal was awarded to England, 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 publications putting out countless editorials in the run-up to Thursday's vote explaining why it is vital for the UK to stay.

Der Spiegel last week published an edition with a special bilingual section on the vote, and ran a front-page emblazoned with the Union Jack and the headline: "Please don't go".

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