FOOTBALL fans should watch England in the final of Euro 2020 in small groups or at home, the leader of the city council has said.

As people prepare to watch the Three Lions take on Italy at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, the leader of Brighton and Hove City Council has said people getting together in one place brings a “massive risk” of spreading Covid.

It comes after the council urged young people living in Brighton and Hove to take a coronavirus PCR test, whether or not they have symptoms, following a rise in infection rates.

Council leader Phélim Mac Cafferty said: “With the big football final this weekend we know many of you will be out enjoying drinks with friends. But with so many people getting together in one place there's a massive risk of spreading the virus.

“Please don’t put others at risk. Visit one of the testing sites when you’re out. And think about safer ways to enjoy the match - keep your group small or watch the game at home."

A study by Imperial College London found that England’s success in Euro 2020 could be linked to a rise in Covid infections among men.

The study, which tested over 47,000 people across England from June 24 to July 5, found that men were 30 per cent more likely to catch the virus than women.

The news comes after England defeated Denmark to make it through to the final of the European Championships. Football fans across Brighton were seen hugging each other and celebrating the 2-1 win.