One in four workers will pull a sickie this summer as England attempt to lift the World Cup in South Africa, it has emerged.
 
Researchers have found just over nine million UK employees will skive an average of 3.5 days during the month long tournament.
 
That means an extra 31,850,000 excuses will be made in just four weeks as fans phone or text their boss faking illness.
 
And even one in six women will claim they can't make it into work so they can watch Capello's boys in action.
 
Tim Bailey, spokesperson for Continental Tyres, which carried out the poll of 4,000 Brits, said: "The World Cup is a massive event. It is clear that fans will try almost anything not to miss a big game.
 
"As an Official FIFA Sponsor we understand the appeal of the matches but maybe people should think ahead and follow the safer line of booking holiday rather risking a collision with their boss."
 
The survey found seven in ten plan on watching the World Cup matches – averaging eight games in total.
 
Four in ten supporters plan on checking scores, gossip and team line-ups from behind their desk at work for at least 22 minutes a day – or 5.5 hours throughout the tournament.
 
One in ten die-hard fans would even quit their job if they had a ticket for the FIFA World Cup Final™ but were refused time off work by their boss. Tim Bailey continued: "This shows how far fans are willing to go to get to South Africa. Even in the current climate they would consider giving up their job. We’ve been hearing from loads of footie fans who have gone to extreme lengths to see their favourite teams play, in our search for the UK's Biggest Football Fan. The leading contenders are announced next week and people can vote for their favourite at www.continentalsbiggame.co.uk" A dodgy stomach (28 per cent), feeling sick (23 per cent) and a headache (20 per cent) will be blamed for keeping people away from work when matches are scheduled.
 
And bosses beware - a cheeky one in six workers will lie and say their car won't start, have a sudden bout of food poisoning or simply feel dizzy.
 
One in 20 will even blame a death in the family for keeping them off work.
 
Another two days of work will be missed by one in five workers following heavy nights of drinking and partying with mates.
 
Seven in ten Brits reckon Fabio Capello is the right man to manage England to the World Cup Final and 31 per cent think it is England best-ever chance to lift the trophy.
 
Eight in ten employees feel an England win will lift the mood of the nation and productivity will increase in the office.
 
One in five will plan work meetings around football matches and the same number will sneak out the office early to 'meet a client'.
 
But a quarter of women admitted they now won't watch the World Cup because David Beckham isn't playing.
 
TOP 10 WORLD CUP SICKIE EXCUSES
1. Tummy ache or dodgy stomach
2. Vomiting
3. Headache/migraine
4. High temperature and dizziness
5. Food poisoning
6. Car wouldn't start
7. Boiler broke
8. Child is unwell
9. Ear ache or infection
10. Husband or wife is ill so have to look after them/the kids