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The British government has warned England fans travelling to Russia for the World Cup to be aware of anti-British sentiment and harassment - and avoid commenting on politics.

The Foreign Office updated its travel advice today after Theresa May said Russia was behind the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter with a nerve agent, and expelled 23 diplomats.

The Foreign Office said: "Due to heightened political tensions between the UK and Russia, you should be aware of the possibility of anti-British sentiment or harassment at this time.

"You're advised to remain vigilant, avoid any protests or demonstrations and avoid commenting publicly on political developments.

"While the British Embassy in Moscow is not aware of any increased difficulties for British people travelling in Russia at this time, you should follow the security and political situation closely and keep up to date with this travel advice."

(Image: Getty) (Image: REUTERS)

Police have estimated that up to 20,000 fans are expected to travel to Russia in the summer.

The Prime Minister confirmed today that the Royal Family and British ministers will boycott the tournament.

But Tory MP Bernard Jenkin said England should pull out of the World Cup altogether.

"Nasty regimes like to host these big sporting events as a great sort of propaganda coup," he told the BBC.

Today defence experts in London said Russian authorities were unlikely to target England fans - but warned gangs of President Vladimir Putin's supporters might.

Dr Jonathan Eyal, international director of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), said: “The Russian name is not exactly very clean in international sports fixtures at the moment.

“I think the last thing they would want to get is a washout on the World Cup.

(Image: REX/Shutterstock)

“So I don’t believe British fans are going to be targeted as part of an operation by the authorities."

But he added: “I think it is possible you would get the so-called Nashi - the youth movement of Mr (Vladimir) Putin - who take it upon themselves usually to hand down anyone representing the West.

“This would be a really spectacular own goal for the Russians to try to do that.”

RUSI director Professor Malcolm Chalmers said: “At present I don’t see any evidence that the Russian state will make things more difficult for England fans.

“But obviously one can not exclude the possibility that the relationship between English and Russian fans might get worse.

"I guess that depends if and when they meet directly in a game.”

Britain's damning retaliation measures against Russia 23 of Russia's 58 London diplomats expelled. They must leave within a week in the biggest expulsion for 30 years

All planned high-level UK-Russia contacts suspended

UK ministers and Royal Family will boycott the 2018 World Cup

Invitation for Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's UK visit rescinded

A new 'Magnitsky law' to strengthen sanctions on human rights abusers

Urgent new laws to 'harden our defences against all forms of hostile state activity'

This will include a targeted power to detain those suspected of hostile state activity at the UK border. This is currently only allowed for terror suspects

Increased checks on private flights, customs and freight

Freeze Russian state assets if they may be used to threaten life or property of UK nationals or residents

Other covert measures that "cannot be shared publicly for reasons of National Security"

(Image: Daily Mirror)

The FA have no plans to change their 2018 World Cup plans despite Theresa May insisting no government ministers or British Royal Family members will travel to Russia.

An FA Spokesman said: "The FA will continue to work closely with the UK Government and relevant authorities regarding our participation in this summer’s FIFA World Cup and the Women’s World Cup qualifier in June.

"Our priority for all England matches is to ensure the safety and security of the fans, players and staff. As is standard practice, we will take all travel guidance from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office."

England are set to stay at The Forrest Mix Club in the sleepy town of Repino, which is 45-minute's drive from St Petersburg.

The Three Lions are due to open their campaign against Tunisia on 18 June, before facing Panama and Belgium on the 24 and 28 June.