Following brawls and injuries during Saturday’s Paraguay game, the BBC has, somewhat inevitably, gone back on its plans to broadcast England’s World Cup games on big screens in Liverpool and London.

This article in today’s Guardian confirms that the screenings at Clayton Square and Canada Square respectively won’t be repeated for other England games, including Thursday’s Trinidad & Tobago and next Tuesday’s Sweden games.

The situation at Manchester’s Exchange Square, meanwhile, is still being considered. With its unexpected popularity - as many as 12,000 people turning out - they may well deem it a health hazard for those attending. From The Guardian:

“This morning Manchester police, city council officials and shopping centre managers will meet to discuss if England’s game against Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday ought to be screened. If it goes ahead, extra officers will be drafted in and restrictions on the number of people at the screening imposed.”

A couple of friends tried watching Saturday’s game in Manchester city centre only to be turned away. Understandable, given this view captured by I am Banno:

A colleague was in Liverpool, where he said a relatively good-natured event turned sour after half-time, as England were forced onto the backfoot and a few decisions went against them.

He also said that many of the already merry fans were drinking at the event and went to refuel at Tesco at half-time. It sounds like police didn’t even attempt to enforce the no-alcohol rule.

Anyone wanting to enjoy World Cup games without the risk of being glassed should note that the Odeon cinema (formerly thefilmworks) is showing World Cup games. Admission is �4.

Check out this Metro News guide for other suggestions.

UPDATE: Manchester screening moves to a ticketed free event at Castlefield Arena, but not in time for the Trinidad & Tobago game.