Soccer-mad Sami Anderson Talbi, aged six, will be cheering on England during the first half of their opening World cup match this afternoon - and then Tunisia in the second.

The root of his conflict of who to support is that his mum, Heather, is from Yorkshire and his father, Hedi, is from Tunis.

Heather, 41, and Hedi and 43 met in Leeds 14 years ago when she was a social worker and he was completing his studies at the University.

Now they live in Bahrain where Hedi works at a university. They were watching the England-Tunisia game this afternoon.

Heather, whose father Bill lives in Norton and mother Helen in Osbaldwick, said: "Someone even suggested Sami wear England colours and then Tunisian, or that I sew together a dual-coloured shirt."

"It was a serious question for him, deciding who to cheer on. He came up with the half and half solution himself.

"Maybe, as a family, the best result would be a draw."

Sami's proud grand-dad Bill said today; "I can see Sami's dilemma. All I hope is that he enjoys the game!"

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