Madonna flags up support for England

13 April 2012

IN an unprecedented move into supporting football, Madonna is backing the England World Cup squad,

writes Paul Thomson.

The superstar American singer and her English film-director husband Guy Ritchie are backing Sven-Goran Eriksson's England team by signing a joint message on a St George's Cross flag.

Madonna's message to the team said: "Come on chaps. Ra, ra, rattle rattle - bring that ruddy cup home."

The gesture is just the latest tying Madonna, 43, to her adopted home. She lives near Marble Arch and has chosen to bring up and educate her two children, Rocco and Lourdes, in England.

Her husband Ritchie cast footballer-turned-actor Vinnie Jones in his hit film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

The Football Association and sponsor Nationwide want to create theworld's biggest fans' flag, which will measure 20 x 10 metres. The flag can accommodate up to one million signatures of support from England well-wishers.

Fans can go online to www.TheFA.com/flag to register their details and leave a good-luck message.

Other celebrities including Davina McCall, Tim Henman and Johnny Vaughan have joined Madonna to pledge their support by signing a smaller version of the flag.

All proceeds from the sale of the flag - which will be taken out to Japan and presented to the England players - will go to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

Eriksson is also a big fan of the flag and said: "This campaign is amagnificent way of symbolising the entire country's support for the national team.

"We will travel to theWorld Cup with wonderful support behind us, it will mean a lot to me and all the players."

Material Girl's football duets

Don't Cry for me Argentina
(with David Beckham)

Gambler
(with Kevin Keegan)

Jimmy Jimmy
(with Jimmy Hill)

Like a Virgin
(with Dwight Yorke)

True Blue
(with Ken Bates)

Causing a Commotion
(with Alan Smith)

Who's That Girl
(with David Seaman)

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