England became the first team to lose back-to-back Euros finals. (Image: Getty)
The Football Association have snubbed the chance for England's defeated Euro 2024 finalists to meet fans upon their return to the country.
Gareth Southgate and his players are due to travel back to England today, having suffered heartbreak in the European Championship final last night.
Cole Palmer's second-half wonder strike had cancelled out Nico Williams' earlier effort, but it wasn't to be for the Three Lions, who became the first team to lose consecutive Euro finals.
A late Mikel Oyarzabal separated the two sides, with England, despite having an effort cleared off the line - unable to equalise for a second time.
And while the nation picks up the pieces after another final defeat, the England players will be afforded a quiet getaway upon their return home.
An FA statement on X read: "England's players and staff will be travelling back on a charter flight and will leave the airport via a private terminal, so there will not be an opportunity for the public to greet them on arrival.
"We thank you, our incredible fans, for all of your support throughout the tournament."
It's safe to say some England fans weren't best pleased about the decision, with @theWishyman80 replying: "Sulking because you lost in the final. We used to have greetings for semi-finals. Nice thank you for the fans who follow you around the world."
We thank you, our incredible fans, for all of your support throughout the tournament. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0zilkOFdaR
Questions about Gareth Southgate's future are being asked. (Image: Getty)
While @HelloBenWhite added: "Yikes... Didn't turn up for the big occasion. Not turning up for the fans! Great connection to the people?"
@adamupsall claimed: "There have been some odd decisions and moves away from what had been a fantastic reconnect between @England and the supporters/public since 2018. This is right up there with the worst."
And @ian_bent bluntly claimed: "I suppose asking them to turn up after the tournament is asking a lot when most of them didn’t turn up for the tournament."
Despite the disappointment in Berlin still being raw, attention has turned to what comes next for England, with questions about Southgate's future beginning to grow.
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Southgate originally took charge of England on an interim basis in 2016, before later being handed the job on a permanent basis.
Three semi-final appearances in four years have followed, but the Three Lions boss has hinted at a possible exit following Sunday's devastating defeat: "It's hard to reflect so soon after a defeat like this.
"To take England to two finals has never been done, but we came here to win and we haven't. We haven't been able to take that last step.
"I need to have conversations with important people behind the scenes rather than publicly. Many of this squad will be around in two, four, six years time."
