Russia say they are “entirely unfazed” by England’s threat to withdraw from this summer’s World Cup over the alleged poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury.

Foreign secretary Boris Johnson had said that UK involvement at the tournament may not “go ahead in the normal way”, fuelling optimism among England fans.

But it has since emerged that the proposed abnormal involvement would involve pulling out of the competition, rather than succeeding in it.

Speaking exclusively to Football Burp, a man claiming to be a Russian diplomat made sarcastic “ooh, we’re so scared” type comments.

He said: “England withdrawing? Ooh, we’re so scared!

“Give me a break. It’s like Iain Duncan Smith flaking on your poker night – no one wanted him to come anyway, and he certainly wasn’t going to win.

“You could threaten us with an alcohol ban on your travelling supporters, that would hit us far harder.”