The England team who DID win: Seven police officers on anti-hooligan duty enjoy drinks receptions after games pass off with little trouble

• Seven officers visited World Cup in Brazil on trip costing taxpayers £20,000
  
• As most games passed without incident, they enjoyed drinks receptions
  
• Twitter user described trip as a 'jolly' after they were snapped in sandals
• But not every match was peaceful - as it emerged fan had his ear bitten off
  

By MARTIN BECKFOR THED FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY

Published: 19:56 EST, 28 June 2014 | Updated: 19:56 EST, 28 June 2014

While England’s football team came home from Brazil defeated and dejected, another squad representing the nation were all smiles as they returned after a more enjoyable World Cup.

A group of seven police officers spent more than a fortnight at  the tournament, officially on the lookout for hooligans.

But as the three England games passed off with little trouble, the delegation found time to enjoy drinks receptions with diplomatic staff as well as amiable conversations with fans and journalists.

Peaceful (mostly): Seven anti-hooligan officers went to Brazil, but they saw few incidents among England fans

They appeared relaxed as they flew back to Britain following a trip that cost taxpayers at  least £20,000.

They even had time to pose for  a group photograph at Heathrow on Friday, still wearing their shorts and sandals, to celebrate the ‘successful deployment’.

Chief Superintendent Rachel Barber said: ‘We have been extremely pleased with the behaviour of England fans.’

But some observers were less happy. One Twitter user commented: ‘Makes me proud to have worked hard then be taxed to the eyeballs so people like this can have a jolly.’

And a serving officer admitted he was ‘gutted’ not to have had the chance to work at an overseas football match.

English fans have been involved in extensive outbreaks of disorder at previous World Cups.

Nowadays the most notorious troublemakers are hit with football banning orders that force them to hand over their passports in advance of overseas tournaments.

Troubled past: An England fan in arrested by German police in Stuttgart after a clash in 2006

The World Cup was not completely without incident, however.

It emerged last night that one England fan had his ear bitten off in a brutal attack during the team's match against Uruguay.

Footage showed a scuffle unfolding in front of shocked supporters in the upper tier block 614 of the stadium, which ended in a fierce fight.

Chief Superintendent Barber said: 'We were made aware during the England vs Uruguay match in Sao Paulo that an incident had taken place which resulted in an England fan having a portion of his ear bitten off by another England fan.

'In the immediate aftermath, we managed to make contact with the victim and offered advice and support.

'The day after the attack, the victim chose to make a formal complaint to the local police, and they opened an investigation.'