A ROW has broken out after it was confirmed that there will not be a big screen showing the World Cup semi-final live in Southampton.

The Three Lions have sent fans into raptures as they reached the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1990 with their win over Sweden on Saturday.

But councillors have voiced their anger after Southampton City Council said it would not hire a screen to allow fans to watch the match in public.

Big screens showing the game live on Wednesday evening will be set up in many cities across the country including London and Manchester.

Plans to screen England’s World Cup semi-final on a big screen in Middlesbrough have been scrapped following disorder during the quarter-final win.

A Daily Echo website poll found that out of 4,700 votes, 85 per cent were in favour of a screen being set up in Southampton.

But in an official statement, Southampton City Council said: “It has been great to see England make it to the semi-finals in the World Cup. We have started to investigate the possibility of erecting a large screen in the city, should the team make it through to the final.

“Due to logistics, safety concerns and a lack of availability of suitable city centre spaces that we can use to host an event of this size and nature, we are unfortunately unable to commit to a large screen for the mid-week match, at short notice.”

Southampton Independents councillor Andrew Pope hit out at the authority, saying screens should have been set up across the city since the start of the World Cup.

He added: “If it had been planned before the World Cup these concerns would have not been an issue.

"Why would it make a difference if England are in the final or in the first stage?

"They failed to plan. If they have done it in Newcastle and in Croydon why not in Southampton?”

Cllr Satvir Kaur, cabinet member for communities, culture and leisure, had previously told the Daily Echo that Guildhall Square would be an ideal location for a big screen, but it is to play host to Southampton Solent University’s graduation week until Friday.

Daniel Fitzhenry, leader of the Conservative group, said there are many other spaces in the city that would be ideal for a big screen and that safety is paramount at any event run by the authority.

He added: “ I think we should have a display of the World Cup on Wednesday.

"It’s disappointing they can’t find somewhere given that we have so many public spaces.”

Some city residents said they do not blame the council for its decision after some people climbed on buses in Above Bar Street to celebrate on Saturday, others took to social media to voice their disappointment.

GO! Southampton, the Business Improvement District for the city centre, says more than 15 different businesses, from bars and pubs to restaurants and cinemas, will be screening the match.