With the nation gearing up for the start of the Euros this week, a crafty Ch-Eat sheet has been created so casual fans of the game don’t end up feeling as left out as Jack Grealish.
Almost three quarters (71%) of adults admit that they find some of the rules of the beautiful game baffling. Yet over half (53%) of the nation still want to get involved as they believe the best thing about a huge sporting event is the atmosphere it creates. Almost half (45%) feel that getting together to watch a big match is more exciting than the game itself.
Over a third (35%) make a meal of a sporting occasion, seeing it as a perfect excuse to gather friends and families round to watch it together. However, over a third (39%) admit they feel embarrassed and left out of the conversation with their football fanatic pals when they don’t know the correct terminology or understand the etiquette.
The off-side rule is confusing to over a quarter (28%) of 1,500 adults polled, followed by VAR (Video Assistant Referee decisions (26%) and referee hand signals (25%).
PizzaExpress, which commissioned the new research, is determined that no one should be left feeling like a sub during this year’s tournament and has created a guide with all the sporting parlance and quirks decoded to have everyone feeling like part of a team and shouting ‘Come on, ref!’ ‘That’s a foul’ or ‘They’re parking the bus’.
To kick off its new menu, especially designed to be shared for sporting events, PizzaExpress is offering the Ch-Eat sheet as a free add-on as well as 40% off its bespoke range which includes the Dream Team, the Ultimate Formation and the huge Champion Podium boasting three Large Classic pizzas and Double Dough Balls Doppio. The sharing Large Classic is made with double the amount of dough as the brand’s Classic base.
Before being devoured, the Dough Balls can be used in the ultimate penalty shoot-game in one of football pitch style boxes free with any online order via PizzaExpress Deliveries from selected restaurants.
Jo Vaughton at PizzaExpress, said: “With an exciting summer of sport ahead of us, we know that it will be full of social gatherings and celebrations. Our new delicious Large Classic pizza – the ultimate sharing pizza – and the launch of our Football Ch-EAT Sheet and Dough Ball Penalty Shoot-Out are all about bringing people together and making memories over this momentous summer.”
According to the research, these are the top 10 football rules that people do not understand:
- The off-side rule (28%)
- VAR (26%)
- Hand signals (25%)
- Length of time a goalkeeper can hold on to the ball (23%)
- The percentage of the ball that has to pass the line to be considered a goal (20%)
- Number of substitutes allowed on a bench (20%)
- The difference between how a throw-in and corner kick is awarded (17%)
- Number of team changes allowed in a match (17%)
- Hand-ball rule (17%)
- The difference between stoppage time and extra time (14%)
To better your football knowledge and get your hands on one of PizzaExpress’ Ch-EAT Sheets – or if it’s a friendly game of Dough Ball Penalty Shoot-Out you’re after – simply order via PizzaExpress Delivers https://order.pizzaexpress.
