TWO Bolton politicians are among 128 MPs to sign a letter calling on the Football Association to fill empty seats at England matches with free tickets for schoolchildren.

Sir David Crausby, MP for Bolton North East and Yasmin Qureshi, MP for Bolton South East, have both signed the letter drafted by shadow sports minister Dr Rosena Allin-Khan.

It has been signed by members of all parties and is addressed to FA chairman Greg Clarke.

The letter, which was also signed by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, states that the 28,000 empty seats for last week’s game against Slovenia ‘represent 28,000 lost opportunities to inspire England stars of the future’.

While noting that the FA did make 7,000 free tickets available to schools and community groups, Dr Allin-Khan writes ‘this was a chance to do so much more’ due to the level of empty seats.