The disturbing hidden cost of England's World Cup defeat

As England’s World Cup dreams were dashed in dramatic fashion by a devastating extra-time goal to Croatia in their semi-final, millions of fans packed pubs, parks and bars to mourn the loss.

People across the UK had skipped work and more than 30,000 people flocked to London’s Hyde Park for the biggest screening of a football match in 22 years.

But a confronting campaign has revealed the national pain that follows an England football loss is not just emotional.

The National Centre for Domestic Violence poster shows a woman’s face covered in blood in the shape of the team flag with the slogan: “If England gets beaten, so does she”.

NCDV statistics reveal cases of domestic violence go up 26 per cent when England play, and a shocking 38 per cent if they lose.

State of Origin also sees spike in violence

The World Cup is not the only sport that has seen a spike in domestic violence cases.

Shocking data has revealed NSW sees a 40.7 per cent average increase in domestic violence and 71.8 per cent rise in non-domestic assaults across the state on State of Origin game days.

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Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) Chief Executive, Michael Thorn said researchers have been aware for a long time there are spikes in violence with major events including Australia Day, ANZAC Day and various sporting events, but the data on the State of Origin was “alarming”.

“I was surprised by the size of the peaks that’s for sure. That’s probably what makes it more alarming,” he told Yahoo7.

Mr Thorn said while researchers are always circumspect in determining a reason for the peaks in violence, alcohol could be a contributing factor.

“Given the patterns over the years of the magnitude of the spikes, I can say there is a plausible relationship and that alcohol is causing this violence,” he said.

Public health advocates are now calling on the NRL to acknowledge the spike in domestic violence linked to the State of Origin series.

“The series is associated with alcohol brands XXXX and Carlton Dry. They have wrapped themselves around the State of Origin and there’s lots of marketing with it,” Mr Thorn said.

“People go to the game and alcohol is available. Or people are encouraged to go to the pub or buy slabs and drink at home.

“Major sports have to disassociate themselves from these alcohol brands.”

Mr Thorn said he would like to see a similar campaign to the one put out by the NCDV in the UK in Australia.

“You can’t go soft on these issues. You have to confront people and that’s incredibly confronting campaign,” he said.