England fans warned not to fly St George's Cross in certain areas at World Cup

England fans will be issued with a “sensitive sites” guide to Russia and urged not to hang flags in some areas or sing inappropriate songs ahead of the country’s first World Cup game on 18 June.

Fears that cultural insensitivity could cause violence between football fans and locals in areas of historical significance such as Volgograd have seen officials warn fans to be careful with flags amid concerns they could be deemed as “almost imperialistic” and antagonistic.

Volgograd, formerly known as Stalingrad, was the site of one of the bloodiest battles of World War II with an estimated 1.8 million lives lost.

The city's UNESCO World Heritage Site Mamayev Kurgan Memorial complex 'To the heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad' is one of the most significant war memorials sites in Russia.

It's expected that 2,000 England fans will attend the country's first match against Tunisia in the city this June.

The UK Government’s Be on the Ball: World Cup 2018 guide says such memorials in Volgograd must be “treated with respect”.

Flag days