Rowdy English football fans upset about their team’s World Cup defeat have forced the brief closure of a Brisbane pub.

Management at the Pig `N’ Whistle in Brisbane’s CBD called police about 1.15pm after a group of drunk English backpackers created a disturbance and refused to leave.

Hundreds turned out to the British-themed pub on Sunday morning to watch England’s 2-1 loss to Italy.

Police say they arrested two men and evicted all patrons – 50 to 100 people – from the Eagle Street establishment on Sunday afternoon after the rowdy group refused to co-operate.

A spokesman for the Pig `N’ Whistle said reports of a brawl were untrue and not a single punch had been thrown.

“It was a group of young English backpackers who were obviously drowning their sorrows after the game,” he told AAP.

“They were just a bit over-exuberant, they were dancing on one of the tables, and we were trying to get them to calm down and they wouldn’t calm down.”

The spokesman said the majority of people who turned up to watch the much-anticipated game had a great time and left.

“A very very small minority ruined it for everyone else,” he said.