Revellers at this year's Glastonbury Festival are unlikely to get the chance to watch the World Cup final, the organisers have confirmed.

The decision has forced angry ticket-holders with a penchant for both music and sport to begin an online petition calling for the game to be shown on giant screens.

Festival organisers told BBC News Online that if England made the final there was the possibility of a re-think, but even then the game would be shown reluctantly.

A spokesman said: "The plan is that it's about entertainment and culture and it's not, basically, about football."

'Devastated'

The decision has not been well received by many ticket-holders, with many emailing BBC News Online with their feelings.

Bob Russell MP, Liberal Democrat football spokesman, threw his weight behind the campaign and called on the organisers of the Glastonbury festival to show the World Cup football.

"Glastonbury should be a festival of two halves. Provision should be made for those festival goers who would like to watch the world cup final, especially as England have a very good chance of appearing."

Football fan Jackie Annett is among a group who have begun an online petition in a bid to force the organisers to give in on 30 June.

She said: "Of course if England get through there will be a large number of the 100,000 festival goers who will be devastated that they can't watch the match.

"This would be cruelty in its most harsh form."

Ms Annett said the organisers would be told about the progress of the petition on a daily basis.

'Snobbery'

She was not the only disgruntled festival goer.

Ped from England said: "I have my ticket but am seriously considering not going if England reach the final.

Glad to see that 'artistic' snobbery is still alive and kicking...some would say that football is an art form

'Cam'

"Football is an art plus it's all about national pride. What are they thinking of, not screening it?"

Tom Boyd added: "Refusing to show the football at Glasto' will cause nothing but problems as a huge proportion of the attendees attempt to leave on Saturday night or very early Sunday.

"Just because a person likes music and the arts it does not follow that they have no interest in a potential World Cup final involving England."

And Cam said: "Glad to see that 'artistic' snobbery is still alive and kicking... some would say that football is an art form.

"Surely the definition of art is more open than how a few event organisers choose to define it."

'Small groups'

Glastonbury Festival spokesman Crispin Aubrey said a final decision has not yet been reached.

He explained: "It's not scheduled to be at the festival. We will have to see what happens."

Mr Aubrey added many people would manage to watch the game regardless of the official line.

He said: "There may well be people setting up their own televisions, so there could be small groups of people watching."