World Cup 2022: England fans warned they risk criminal charges for throwing beer

It's become as synonymous with recent international tournaments as England coming agonisingly close to winning the thing – but fans could pay a heavy price for lobbing pints in celebration, an alcohol licensing firm has warned.

The strange trend emerged at fan parks, pubs and more during the 2018 World Cup, then supporters picked it back up (and their pints, before tossing them into the air) for last year's Euros.

Harmless (if slightly smelly) fun? Not according to one licensing firm. It could actually constitute assault if it goes wrong...

In an online Q&A, Poppleston Allen explained:

"There is no specific licensing reason why [fans aren’t allowed to throw beer], [but] in terms of criminal activity, clearly if an object such as a glass or even a polycarbonate is thrown deliberately, that would be an assault or an attempted assault.

"Throwing plastics full of liquid in the air which may hit someone, but probably not cause damage, is not likely to be a criminal activity, but could be regarded as reckless which can be criminal.

"If it is part of a generally aggressive group behaviour it could be a public order offence."

Will Three Lions fans heed that advice if Harry Kane pops up with a last-minute winner against France to send Gareth Southgate's side into the quarter-finals? Don't count on it...