Euro 2012: Sour note as England band is banned

Sponsors Pukka Pies are to make an official protest to Uefa after the England band was refused entry into last night’s Euro 2012 encounter with France in Donetsk.

The band travelled 2,500 miles by road to get to Ukraine for the game.

But despite assurances from the Football Association and Uefa, the band were not allowed to bring their instruments into the Donbass Arena.

The band have been a feature of England games for the past two decades and estimate they have been present for over 300 consecutive matches.

Last night was the first time they have been refused entry to a game and no reason was given for the decision.

The band were allowed entry once their instruments had been confiscated and the authorities said they will be returned after the final whistle.

“We are going to make an official protest about this matter,” said a spokesman for Pukka Pies, who are sponsors of the band.

“There were no grounds for taking this disgraceful action, which is over-zealous in the extreme. Needless to say, we intend the band to be back in its rightful place by the time we get to Kiev for the Sweden game on Friday.”