FA chiefs branded ‘hypocrites’ for killing 60 geese who were s***ing on St George’s Park pitches – The Sun

FA chiefs have been branded ‘hypocrites’ for killing 60 GEESE who were s****ing on England pitches.

The greylag birds were shot to “preserve public health and safety” for Three Lions stars at St George’s Park.

But Jay Tiernan of campaign group Stop the Cull raged: “There is something sinister in creating a pond to show your green credentials — only to slaughter the birds that come to use it because you don’t like bird poo on your lawn.

“Their planning applic­ation in part hinged on the benefits of the development to wildlife.

“So to then go and kill the geese is shocking. It’s a terrible act of hypocrisy.

“Let the wild be wild. Nature should be allowed to flourish and organisations like the FA should lead the way with a far more holistic approach.”

The FA obtained a licence to kill after geese started pooping in public areas of the National Football Centre.

There were concerns players could slip over at the Staffordshire site.

The cull took place between 2018 and 2019.

According to Natural England records, obtained by Stop the Cull, the FA got approval to kill up to 50 geese a year from 2016. Management at St George’s Park — which opened in October 2012 at the cost of £105m — discouraged public feeding of the birds and installed fences around ponds.

It is understood no greylag geese have been killed this year.

And there are no plans for further culls as these preventative measures helped sort the problem.

An FA spokesperson said: “The FA applied for and has been issued with a licence by Natural England and is now taking measures to control the geese population.

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“The FA is committed to preserving public health and safety at its venues and the growing number of geese on the site was providing a risk.

“The estates team employ a variety of methods recommended by DEFRA to help reduce and resolve problems caused by geese on the property.”

The RSPB declined to comment when contacted by SunSport.

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