Viral England supporter Andy Milne has revealed he was dramatically detained by police outside the World Cup final after security officers became suspicious of one unexpected item in his possession.
Milne has become one of England’s most recognisable fans after following the Three Lions across the globe for more than four decades, regularly appearing on television during major international tournaments.
The lifelong supporter was among the thousands who travelled to the United States for this summer’s World Cup and secured a coveted ticket for the showpiece final between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium.
But instead of heading straight into the ground, Milne found himself being escorted away by police after an innocent plan to preserve a treasured souvenir spiralled into an extraordinary misunderstanding.
Speaking on The Pezzadox Show, Milne explained that he has collected tickets from every World Cup final he has attended and was determined to continue that tradition despite FIFA’s widespread use of digital tickets.
“I’ve been to eight previous World Cup finals and I’ve got my tickets for all of those World Cup finals,” he said. “It means a lot to keep those.”
He continued: “I’ve also got a few other tickets. I’ve got a 1966 World Cup final ticket that’s signed by Geoff Hurst.”
Determined not to leave New York empty-handed, Milne devised a plan to obtain a physical ticket.
Viral England supporter Andy Milne has revealed he was dramatically detained by police outside the World Cup final after security officers became suspicious of one unexpected item in his possession
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“So this time, of course I want to keep my World Cup final ticket, but they’re all electronic so they won’t issue a paper ticket,” he added.
“So I hatched a plan and I went to a ticket resolution centre. I told them that I’d lost my phone, is there anything I could do about it. They gave me a paper ticket.”
Wanting to protect the keepsake from the heat and humidity, Milne tucked it safely inside a paperback novel before making his way through security.
With then-US President Donald Trump attending the final, security around the stadium was exceptionally tight.
Andy Milne cheered on England once again at this summer’s World Cup
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Milne recalled placing the book in the screening area before a police officer immediately questioned it.
He stated: “I said: ‘It’s a book,’ and he told the security guy: ‘Search it,’ so the security guy picked it up and rifled through it.
“He said: ‘I’m searching it, it’s just a book.’
“He turned the book over and the title of the book is ‘A Beginner’s Guide To Breaking And Entering’ – it’s a novel, it’s fun, it’s humorous, but the policeman suddenly flipped and goes: ‘Sir, you are being detained!'”
Milne said the situation escalated rapidly as officers ordered him not to touch the book before escorting him to a holding area.
He revealed: “And I said: ‘But it’s just a book,’ and I went to pick it up… He says: ‘Leave that item alone!’
“Then he called over another policeman and the other policeman really started bellowing at me.”
After around 15 minutes, a senior officer arrived to investigate.
Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the game as Spain beat Argentina in the World Cup final last month
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Milne added: “They pointed to the book. He picked up the book, had a look at it and just turned round to those two officers and said: ‘F***ing idiots.’
“He put his arm around me, gave the book and walked me into the stadium apologising all the way.”
Milne ultimately made it into the ground in time to watch Spain lift the World Cup after Ferran Torres struck an extra-time winner to seal a 1-0 victory over Argentina.
The devoted England fan had already made headlines before the tournament after revealing he was selling his second home in Cheshire to help finance what proved to be another unforgettable World Cup adventure.
