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French journalist calls British fish-finger croissant a ‘monstrosity’

A cross-channel food fight has broken out ahead of England’s match against France in the World Cup quarter final on Saturday.

French journalist Julien Hoez was disgusted to see a croissant filled with fish fingers and cheese in a UK cafe, calling the dish a "monstrosity".

Hoez tweeted: "Why do British people seem (to) have an overriding need to destroy all that is holy in this world." Speaking in French, he went on: "Mais pourquoi?! Pourquoi avez-vous consciemment choisi de créer cette monstruosité culinaire".

Hoez added that he was "beside himself" looking at the offering. To add insult to injury, he said the croissants also look like they are cooked badly, calling the dish as a whole "Overcooked, poorly balanced, and devoid of coherent, positive taste".

The croissant is for sale at branches of Cawa Coffee, an chain that has has outlets across the UK. They defended the concoction, saying they are popular and “we can’t make enough of them”.

Hoez’s online salvo drew general agreement online, with Dutch historian Leendert van der Ent saying "Is nothing sacred?"

But some British people defended the delicacy. Economist journalist Mike Bird wrote: "Fish fingers good, croissants good. What is the problem?", while another British Twitter user said: "sorry but this legitimately looks great".

US journalist David Weigel perhaps exaggerated in his efforts to explain, "You need to understand that the Brits eat one meal a day, at 1:32 am, outside the offie after getting pissed and starting a row at the pub" he wrote.

England are playing France in the World Cup on Saturday night in the Quarter Finals of the football competition. France are narrow favourites.

The UK and France share a long rivalry, which often includes French criticism of British food. Perhaps French football fans can sample a British half-time pie during this weekend’s game instead.