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      Who is Michael Oliver? What games is Premier League referee taking charge of at Euro 2020? Can he ref England matches?

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      PREMIER LEAGUE referee Michael Oliver has been chosen as one of England’s representatives at Euro 2020.A familiar face to English football fans, Oliver is one of 18 officials appointed by the Uefa Referees’ Committee and will take part in his first major international tournament.
      Michael Oliver was in charge of Sheffield United’s controversial game against Aston Villa when the Blades clearly had a goal not given that was over the lineCredit: AFP
      It will cap off a long but productive season for the 36-year-old, who officiated in every matchday of the top flight season and took charge of May’s FA Cup final as Leicester beat Chelsea.
      Who is Michael Oliver?
      Born in Ashington, Northumberland, Oliver began refereeing at the age of 14 after being introduced to it by his father.
      By 2007 he became the youngest referee to officiate at Wembley stadium when he whistled the Conference National play-off final.
      Oliver continued to break records becoming the youngest ever Football League referee and youngest Premier League fourth official.
      Michael Oliver awarded a controversial penalty to Real Madrid against Juventus in 2018 and sent off Gianluigi BuffonCredit: REUTERS
      Michael Oliver took charge of Blackburn’s game with Birmingham in 2010 when he was just 25 years oldCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      In 2010, Oliver became the youngest ever Prem referee at the age of 25 years and 182 days old when he officiated Birmingham City’s game with Blackburn Rovers.
      He was selected for Champions League duty in 2016 where he took charge of three group stage games.
      Oliver was caught up in controversy in April 2018 when he refereed to Champions League quarter final second leg between Real Madrid and Juventus.
      In injury time and with the aggregate score level at 3-3, Oliver awarded Real Madrid a controversial penalty and, in the melee, sent off Juventus Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

      In the aftermath, police investigated threatening messages sent to Oliver’s wife after her phone number was leaked on social media.
      Buffon was rapped for his explosive post-match interview.
      The Italian legend clearly let himself down when he said: “The team gave their all, but a human being cannot destroy dreams like that at the end of an extraordinary comeback on a dubious situation.
      “The referee has a trashcan where his heart should be.
      “On top of that, if you don’t have the character to walk on a pitch like this in a stadium like this, you can sit in the stands with your wife, your kids, drinking your Sprite and eating crisps.”
      What games is he taking charges of at Euro 2020?
      This has not yet been confirmed but he is expected to officiate in the group stages of the tournament.
      Is Michael Oliver allowed to take charge of England games at Euro 2020?
      No.
      Referees are not allowed to officiate matches involving the team from their association, the same as applies in Champions League and Europa League matches. More

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      Who is referee Ovidiu Hategan and what games is he taking charge of at Euro 2020? Why has he been investigated by Uefa?

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      ROMANIAN referee Ovidiu Hategan just the medicine for any controversies at this summer’s European Championships – given he is a qualified doctor.The 40-year-old took charge of European ties involving Liverpool, Manchester United and Rangers over the past year.
      Ovidiu Hategan shows Wales’ Connor Roberts a red card during the Dragons’ 2022 World Cup qualifier against Czech Republic
      Hategan also refereed the first leg of the Champions League quarter final between Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund in April, controversially ruling out a Jude Bellingham goal for the Germans.
      He has also been investigated over failing to implement claims of racism and was the referee during one of last season’s most controversial matches.
      Who is Ovidiu Hategan?
      Born in Arad, Hategan initially graduated in medicine and later worked as a GP in his homeland.
      After switching to refereeing, Hategan was given his big break in 2006 where he whistled in Romania’s Liga 1.
      By 2008 he became a Fifa listed referee and four years later, made his bow in the Champions League group stage.
      Why was Hategan investigated by Uefa?
      In 2013, Hategan became embroiled in controversy when the then Uefa President Michel Platini called for an investigation after Hategan failed to apply the protocol for dealing with alleged racial chanting aimed at Yaya Toure during CSKA Moscow’s game with Manchester City.
      Hategan was later cleared of any blame.
      Hategan broke down in tears after Holland’s draw with Germany – it was later revealed he found out at half time his mother had died
      During a Nations League game between Netherlands and Germany in 2018, Hategan was informed at half-time that his mother had passed away.
      After being given the option to be replaced, he chose to continue and officiate the second half.
      Visibly upset, Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk consoled Hategan at the end of the game.
      In 2018 Hategan was also dropped from the Fifa World Cup referees list after admitting a mistake, wrongly awarding Switzerland a penalty kick in their win over Northern Ireland, which denied Michael O’Neil’s side a shot at the finals.
      Hategan was also embroiled in controversy last year when he sent off Istanbul Basaksehir assistant coach Pierre Webo.
      Cameroonian Webo claimed his fourth official Sebastian Coltescu called him “the black one” on the bench during a Champions League game between Istanbul Basaksehir and Paris Saint-Germain.
      Coltescu was later suspended for the rest of the season after BOTH sets of players walked off the pitch before the game was finished a day later.
      Istanbul Basaksehir assistant Pierre Webo accused Hategan’s fourth official of calling him ‘the black one’ before the official was suspendedCredit: EPA

      What games is he taking charges of at Euro 2020?
      This has not yet been confirmed but he is expected to officiate in the group stages of the tournament. More

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      Martin Daubney praises England stars for NOT taking knee live on radio when it was two Romanians who refused

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      FORMER MEP Martin Daubney has been ridiculed online after mistakenly praising two England stars for not taking the knee… even though they were Romanian.Much of the debate leading up to the friendly at the Riverside Stadium was centered around the reaction to players taking the knee.
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      Martin Daubney, right, was criticised for his comments live on radio
      Two Romania players opted to stand while all others took the kneeCredit: Ryan Browne-The Guardian
      Just days prior against Austria, boos rang around the Riverside moments before kick-off.
      It was a similar reaction against Romania despite England’s determination to continue raising awareness of racial inequality this summer.
      Daubney made his thoughts on the matter clear on live national radio although failed to differentiate the two sides.
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      England played in blue instead of their traditional white and it appears the switch bamboozled Daubney.
      Speaking to TalkRadio, he said: “Interestingly if you look last night at the Riverside Stadium, there were two England fans, two England players I beg your pardon, who didn’t take the knee. 
      “I wonder if any of your listeners know who those players are, I’d like to say well done to those lads, they are leading by example.”
      They were, in fact, two Romania players who refused to take the knee.
      Moments before going on air, Daubney tweeted: “Join me on TalkRadio at 10.40am when I will be saying it’s time to end the divisive virtue signalling of taking the knee at football – we must axe it before Euro 2020 or it will majorly kick off.”

      He then added: “Two England players didn’t take the knee, Do any of you know which ones – I’d like to say ‘well done’ to them.”
      Unsurprisingly, he was mocked online for the gaffe before hastily deleting his tweet.
      One user commented: “England are in blue pal, hope this helps.”
      Another wrote: “Care to name the England players you thought had remained standing? No, you didn’t evenknow which team was England.”
      A third said: “Make sure you know which team is England and which isn’t before making your little tweets.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Gareth Southgate talks about Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson’s chances of playing in the Euros More

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      England’s Euro 2020 aces as kids from pals Mason Mount and Declan Rice to Arsenal trainee Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham

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      ALL eyes will be on Harry Kane, Jack Grealish and Mason Mount this summer as England aim to win their first ever Euros.Of course, many fans will remember how close the Three Lions got at Euro ’96 – only to lose in the semi-final to the Germans in a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out.
      All eyes will be on England stars Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Declan RiceCredit: Getty
      But plenty of our stars wouldn’t have been born when boss Gareth Southgate became the fall guy at Wembley that summer.
      However, they would have definitely dreamed of going a few steps further than their current manager and leading their country to glory as they were growing up.
      But what did they look like when they were kids? Join SunSport for a flick through the family albums….
      HARRY KANE
      Captain Kane will, probably, forever be haunted by this photo.
      Dressed in an Arsenal kit, rivals to his beloved Tottenham, the England hotshot trained with the Gunners’ U8 team as a youngster before switching allegiances to Spurs.
      Such was allegiance to the red side of North London, he even dyed his hair the same colour.
      Kane famously played for Arsenal’s U8 team
      When Harry Kane was a youngster he could only have dreamed of playing for his country
      Kane is now England’s captainCredit: Getty
      JACK GREALISH
      England’s poster-boy for this year’s Euros, Grealish grew up in Birmingham.
      And he’s always been as a cute as a button, wearing his boyhood Aston Villa shirt with pride as a five-year-old.
      However, his hair wasn’t the flowing locks we’re used to seeing, and he preferred a more closed crop cut.
      Jack Grealish, aged five here, was cute as a button as a kid in his Aston Villa kit
      Grealish played for Highgate United as a kid while training for Aston Villa
      Grealish could be England’s breakthrough star at the EurosCredit: PA
      JORDAN PICKFORD
      No1 Pickford was Sunderland through and through.
      He climbed through the ranks of the youth team to eventually play for the club before signing for Everton in a £25million deal in 2017.
      But before that he was just a fan of the Mackems – posing for a snap with former captain Kevin Ball.
      Jordan Pickford sported gorgeous curly blonde hair when he was a toddler
      Pickford would later be seen posing for a snap with ex-Sunderland captain Kevin Ball
      Pickford will be tasked with keeping the opposition at bay at the EurosCredit: Paul Marriott – The Sun
      RAHEEM STERLING
      Before he became a superstar at Manchester City, and before that Liverpool, the London-born winger was another hopeful at QPR.
      In 2010, he moved to the Reds from the Hoops for a fee of just £500,000.
      At 15, we saw Sterling showing off his talent on Sky Sports show Soccer AM for their infamous Skill School segment.
      Raheem Sterling grew up in London
      Sterling famously appeared on Soccer AM as a 15-year-old
      Sterling has established himself as England regularCredit: PA

      MASON MOUNT
      Cheeky kid Mount has been with Chelsea since he was six. And in 2019, he shared a brilliant video of himself in his pre-adolescent years whipping a free-kick into the top corner.
      “I try to base my free-kick on Ronaldo, hit the ball by the valve, and it moves,” he says in the video.
      “That’s all you do. Top corner – top bins.”
      Mason Mount has been with Chelsea since he was sixCredit: Tony Mount
      A cheeky Mount poses for a snap with Chelsea legends Ashley Cole and John TerryCredit: Supplied

      Playmaker Mount will want to follow his Champions League success with Chelsea and win the Euros with EnglandCredit: PA
      DECLAN RICE
      Growing up through the Chelsea ranks alongside Mount was best-mate Declan Rice.
      Now a West Ham star, the pair were said to be heartbroken when Rice was released in 2014.
      Still, with Jordan Henderson still struggling for match-fitness Mount and Rice could be starring in England’s midfield in the opener against Croatia together.
      Declan Rice, left, and Mason Mount were best pals in their Chelsea youth daysCredit: Tony Mount
      Rice, first from the right, meets football legend Jimmy HillCredit: Tony Mount
      Rice in action against Austria in pre-Euros friendlyCredit: Getty
      MARCUS RASHFORD
      Young Rashford would never have imagined he would have an MBE at 23, nevermind be a regular for Manchester United and England.
      But for the former skinny kid growing up in Wythenshawe has achieved wonders already in his short career.
      Will he add a Euros to his glittering CV?
      Skinny Marcus Rashford grew up in Wythenshawe, Manchester
      Standing in the middle of the back row, Rashford played youth football at the Fletcher Moss Academy when he was sixCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Rashford celebrates his goal against RomaniaCredit: Getty
      PHIL FODEN
      As he says, he’s been City since he can remember.
      Phil Foden, 20, is coming off an excellent season with his club and will hope to transform that on the international stage.
      And he hasn’t changed one bit from when he was a nipper.
      Credit: Instagram

      Foden could be England’s jewel at the EurosCredit: AFP
      KALVIN PHILLIPS
      Leeds-born midfielder was told as a schoolboy to forget about football and concentrate on his studies.
      Luckily, he didn’t listen to his teachers and has blossomed into the one of the country’s best defensive midfielders – nicknamed the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ by Leeds United fans.
      And, it seems, he was a very happy kid – always smiling for the cameras.
      Kalvin Phillips was always a happy kid
      Phillips’ school teachers told him to forget a life in football and concentrate on his studies
      Phillips could see plenty of playing time at Euro 2020Credit: Getty
      JUDE BELLINGHAM
      England’s potential wildcard, in truth Bellingham is still a kid – astonishingly he’s still only 17.

      But the Borussia Dortmund star began his football journey at Birmingham City.
      There, he was spotted by Trevor Francis as a star of the future during one youth game the former Blues star was watching.
      Did the former Sheffield Wednesday manager also discover a future England Euros winner?
      Jude Bellingham, aged six here, could be England’s wildcard at this year’s EurosCredit: Twitter @bellinghamjude
      Bellingham poses with football legend Trevor FrancisCredit: Refer to Caption
      17-year-old Bellingham could be England’s wildcard at Euro 2020Credit: AP
      “I was a wreck” – Tony Adams on his secret battle with alcoholism as captain of England’s 1996 Euros side More

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      Ben White replaces Alexander-Arnold in England Euro 2020 squad, Deschamps hits back at Mourinho after France jibe

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      ENGLAND scraped past Romania to record another win ahead of Euro 2020.And Gareth Southgate has confirmed Ben White will replace the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold in his 26-man squad.
      Elsewhere, France boss Didier Deschamps has responded after Jose Mourinho piled the pressure on his talented side.

      Follow all of the latest news, build up and updates below…
      REMEMBER WILL GRIGG?
      Some more memories now…
      Will Grigg was the star of Euro 2016, but not because of what he did on the pitch for Northern Ireland.
      After banging in 25 goals to fire Wigan Athletic to the League One title, Latics fans invented the song ‘Will Grigg’s On Fire’.
      The tune went viral and when the striker was selected for Northern Ireland’s squad for the Euros, the fans chanted it throughout.
      Grigg didn’t play a single minute in the tournament as his teammates made it to the last 16.
      He’s now at Sunderland having spent the second half of the 2020-21 season on loan at MK Dons.

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      GAZZA’S GOAL
      Euro ’96 will always be fondly remembered for Paul Gascoigne’s incredible goal against Scotland.
      Will someone have a similar impact for England at Euro 2020?

      WHAT’S EDER UP TO?
      Remember the last man to score in the Euros?
      Eder, who hit the winner for Portugal in the 2016 final, is currently playing for Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow.
      The 33-year-old hasn’t been included in Portugal’s squad for this summer’s tournament having not played international football since 2018.
      He’ll always be an icon for that amazing winner, though.

      THE RASHFORD REVOLUTION

      WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN
      Kevin De Bruyne will be fit to play for Belgium at Euro 2020, according to boss Roberto Martinez.
      The attacking midfielder’s participation looked doubtful, after being forced off in the Champions League final having been body checked by Antonio Rudiger.
      De Bruyne, 29, suffered an orbital fracture to his left eye socket and was in tears as he exited the pitch.
      Martinez, 47, said: “The operation took place on Sunday and it went well. He will join the group on Monday and will be with us for the Euros.”

      WHITE WINS OUT
      If you didn’t see earlier today, Ben White has been called into the England squad for Euro 2020.
      The Brighton defender, 23, comes in as the replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
      Liverpool right-back Alexander-Arnold was left ‘gutted’ after injuring his thigh in the closing stages of the warm-up friendly against Austria last week.
      That ruled him out of the tournament and he now faces up to six weeks on the sidelines.
      And Gareth Southgate chose White to fill the 26th spot in the team.
      White will wear the No22 jersey at the tournament, the number originally given to Alexander-Arnold.

      NO EXCUSES
      Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is wary of going home from Euro 2020 empty handed and has issued a stern warning to his team-mates as a result.
      He told Eurosport: “We have a PlayStation team but it will remain a PlayStation team if we don’t win a trophy.
      “Being world champions and having a team like that, we will be expected to do even more.
      “We must remain humble. I want to give this message: it’s not a foregone conclusion. We hear a lot of talk but we keep our feet on the ground.”

      ENG-LESS OPTIONS
      Gareth Southgate has already admitted the pressure of picking an England squad for a major tournament almost saw him snub the job.
      But now he must somehow decide on choosing a starting XI from his 26-strong list of elite-level talent.
      Ben White has come in as a late replacement for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold to complete the final group.
      Southgate’s two certainties are his captain and striker Harry Kane will lead the line while Jordan Pickford is going to be in goal.
      But other than that, there are plenty of different options at the Three Lions boss’ disposal, both in terms of personnel and shape, ahead of their curtain-raiser against Croatia on Sunday…
      Check out five possible ways Southgate could choose to set-up via our piece here.

      HEAD-ACHE
      Steve Clarke revealed taking Billy Gilmour off was purely a precautionary move.
      Scotland ran out 1-0 winners in Luxembourg but passed up a host of opportunities to make it more emphatic.
      Gilmour was smashed less than half an hour after coming off the bench by a cowardly, aerial Olivier Thill challenge to the head.
      It left the youngster in a crumpled heap for a couple of minutes before heading to the sidelines.
      But after the match Clarke said: “The good news is he is fine. The doctors took him off as a precaution and we’ll assess him over the next couple of days.
      “He’s a tough boy; he’s from Ardrossan! He’s fine. The challenge happened and I didn’t get a good view of it and I am yet to see it back.
      “But its one of those things that happen in football. The reaction of the players was good in surrounding to show we are together.
      “Let’s not make that the big story. The big story is we are now fully prepared for our first tournament in 23 years.”

      SOUTHGATE ON ENGLAND PERFORMANCE

      Gareth Southgate said #ENG “needed to be better” after ending their Euro 2020 warm-up with an unconvincing 1-0 win over Romania at the Riverside.
      — Sky Sports (@SkySports) June 7, 2021

      GREAL DEAL
      SunSport’s Duncan Wright has delivered his England player ratings…
      SAM JOHNSTONE – 7 Wayward early kick, but couple of smart low saves on debut. Then saved well with his feet – before stunning stop to deny equaliser.
      BEN GODFREY – 6 Capable display at the back, pushed forward to link up in attack. Steady full debut overall.
      BEN WHITE – 7 Calm in possession, looked more assured than defensive partner Mings. Impressive full debut.
      TYRONE MINGS – 5 Lapse in concentration in first 30 seconds highlighted fears about ability at highest level. Didn’t improve much afterwards.
      LUKE SHAW – 6 Switched off twice to allow Romania in, pushed forward at every possibility. Steady without impressing.
      KALVIN PHILLIPS – 6 Pressured well out of possession, quiet on the ball. Went about job without fuss and will be reliable if needed.
      JAMES WARD-PROWSE – 8 Busy on and off the ball, excellent in possession and made late claim to manager for selection. Set piece delivery an added bonus.
      JADON SANCHO – 7 Looked dangerous from the off, unlucky with shot against bar. Came short too often as England struggled to create.
      JACK GREALISH – 8 Ignored the rough challenges to grow in influence, won the penalty and looked biggest threat for England.
      MARCUS RASHFORD – 6 Not helped by making runs but not being spotted. Shot wide after one trademark burst, but held nerve to score from spot.
      DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN – 6 Unlucky with fine header against bar, but should have scored from close range in second half. Quiet display.

      RASH DECISION
      ENGLAND will ‘win more’ with Jack Grealish in the starting XI.
      That is the opinion of Manchester United star Marcus Rashford.
      The forward, 23, told ITV: “Jack is a great player. He will grow and grow in an England shirt.
      “We know what he can do. It is about us all working so that he can realise that potential in an England shirt.
      “We will win more games with him in the team.”

      HERE WE GO
      England are the 9/2 favourites for Euro 2020 after playing their final warm up again.
      England beat Romania on Sunday and did enough to impress the punters.
      England were priced at 5/1 to bring football home this summer with Betfair, and have since moved from 4/1 to 9/2 with confidence in Gareth Southgate’s side.
      France, who were originally favourites are priced at 5/1 now.
      Belgium and Spain are next in the betting list at 13/2 and 7/1 while Germany are 15/2 and Italy 8/1.
      Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal are as long as 9/1. 

      WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN
      Kevin De Bruyne will be fit to play for Belgium at Euro 2020, according to boss Roberto Martinez.
      The attacking midfielder’s participation looked doubtful, after being forced off in the Champions League final having been body checked by Antonio Rudiger.
      De Bruyne, 29, suffered an orbital fracture to his left eye socket and was in tears as he exited the pitch.
      Martinez, 47, said: “The operation took place on Sunday and it went well. He will join the group on Monday and will be with us for the Euros.”
      Credit: PA
      WHITE NOISE
      Brighton defender Ben White has given his reaction to being called up to the England squad following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s injury
      He tweeted: “Beyond proud and honoured! I’ll give it my everything.”
      The former Leeds loanee enjoyed a fine season for the Seagulls, his debut Premier League campaign, picking up the club’s player of the year award.
      The Dorset-born star made his senior Three Lions debut as a substitute in holding midfield against Austria before starring at centre-back in the win over Romania yesterday.
      White was named in the provisional 33-man squad by Southgate.
      But he was one of the seven axed from that list for the final 26 alongside Aaron Ramsdale, Ben Godfrey, Jesse Lingard, James Ward-Prowse, Mason Greenwood and Ollie Watkins.
      However, with Alexander-Arnold crocked, Southgate had time to make a switch.
      He still has three right-backs available so opted for White, who has proven in his two caps his versatility in the middle.

      ACTOR RANT
      Laurence Fox wants England’s ‘millionaire woke babies’ to be dumped out of Euro 2020 and claims he is ’embarrassed to be British’.
      The actor, 43, went on an astonishing Twitter rant after England fans were slammed for booing players taking the knee.
      The former DS Hathaway actor in Lewis said: “I’m embarrassed to be British. I hope any team but ours wins in any future sporting endeavour.
      “Tell me a single thing to moderate my thinking? Millionaire woke babies protesting inequality on two hundred grand a week.
      “We deserve everything that is coming. Weak men. Weak.
      “My prayers are with Croatia, The Czech Republic and Scotland. Knock these woke English babies out.”

      CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
      Marcus Rashford capped one of the proudest days of his career by grabbing the winner in Gareth Southgate’s final Euro2020 warm-up.
      Aged 23 years and 218 days, he became the youngest player to start a match as England captain since Michael Owen against Slovakia in June 2003. That match was also at the Riverside Stadium.
      Rashford scored from the spot in the 68th minute after Jack Grealish had been fouled by Tiberiu Capusa. Jordan Henderson, playing his first game in February, then wasted a chance to make it 2-0 by missing a penalty.
      Whether Rashford did enough to force his way into Gareth Southgate’s starting XI for the opening match against Croatia next Sunday remains to be seen.

      HAZARD STAY
      Eden Hazard will remain at Real Madrid for the start of next season, teammate Thibaut Courtois has revealed.
      The former Chelsea forward has been linked with a move back to Stamford Bridge following an awful couple of years in Spain.
      But Courtois, who is currently with Belgium teammate Hazard as the national team prepare for Euro 2020, has confirmed the 30-year-old is staying at Real Madrid and tipped him to answer critics in the same way divisive star Gareth Bale did.
      Speaking to Le Soir, the keeper said: “I’m 100% sure he’s staying. He doesn’t want to move. Only the Madrid press writes about the desire to leave.
      “He wants to continue, play free of injuries and win titles.
      “At Real Madrid there is criticism all the time and for everyone. Gareth Bale was criticized, but he won the Champions League and scored a double in the final in Kyiv.
      “We all know that in Madrid there is pressure and criticism from the press and the fans. But Eden can handle that. I know him well enough to say it. He can still change everything.
      “He still wants to be an important player for Madrid and win titles.”

      HEN DON’T
      Jordan Henderson wrestled the ball from Dominic Calvert-Lewin to take England’s second penalty, before fluffing his lines from the spot.
      The Liverpool captain made his Three Lions return from the bench against Romania, having not appeared for club or country since February.
      Henderson, 30, wanted to mark his comeback with a goal – taking the ball from Calvert-Lewin after the striker was fouled by Vlad Chiriches in the box.
      The midfielder messed up his big moment, however, having his penalty saved by Florin Nita.

      WHITE WINS
      Ben White has been called into the England squad for Euro 2020.
      The Brighton defender, 23, comes in as the replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
      Liverpool right-back Alexander-Arnold was left ‘gutted’ after injuring his thigh in the closing stages of the warm-up friendly against Austria last week.
      That ruled him out of the tournament and he now faces up to six weeks on the sidelines.
      And Gareth Southgate chose White to fill the 26th spot in the team.
      White will wear the No22 jersey at the tournament, the number originally given to Alexander-Arnold.

      VIRUS SERG
      Spain’s Euro 2020 preparations have been hit after captain Sergio Busquets tested positive for coronavirus.
      The Barcelona midfielder led the team in a friendly against Portugal on Friday but contracted the virus over the weekend and will now enter a period of self-isolation.
      The rest of the squad all tested negative, but the players and staff who were in close contact with the 32-year-old must also quarantine.
      Spain, who open their European Championship campaign against Sweden next Monday, are set to play their final friendly against Lithuania on Tuesday.
      The game will still go ahead, but under-21s manager Luis De la Fuente will take charge and use players from his squad.

      KEEP CALM & HARRY ON
      England stumbled to victory in their last game before the Euros – but thankfully the best is still to come from Gareth Southgate’s side.
      Southgate criticised the team’s limp display against Romania but with six days until their big kick-off the Three Lions look set to step up a level.
      Jordan Henderson got better as the game went on in his first game for three months while Harry Maguire is back running to boost the defensive options before the Croatia clash.

      KANTE BE FUN
      Kai Havertz is dreading facing Chelsea team-mate N’Golo Kante from the opposite side of the pitch next week.
      Havertz is on duty for Germany, who kick-off their Euro 2020 campaign against Kante’s France on Tuesday, June 15.
      And the German said: ‘He is a great personality and a great footballer.
      “As an attacking player, I’m always happy when he is on the pitch. You can make a lot of mistakes because he always wins the ball back.
      “He’s fast, agile and always gets his leg in.
      “That’s why it’s not so nice to have to play against him in the first match of the European Championship, of course.”

      GOOD MORNING FOOTBALL FANS
      Spain’s Euro 2020 preparations have been hit after captain Sergio Busquets tested positive for coronavirus.
      The Barcelona midfielder led the team in a friendly against Portugal on Friday but contracted the virus over the weekend and will now enter a period of self-isolation.
      The rest of the squad all tested negative, but the players and staff who were in close contact with the 32-year-old must also quarantine.
      Spain’s first game will still go ahead, but Under-21s manager Luis De la Fuente will take charge and use players from his squad.
      In England news, Marcus Rashford has described the feeling of captaining England for the first time as ‘unexplainable’.
      Rashford wore the armband as England beat Romania 1-0 at The Riverside in their final warm up game ahead of Euro 2020, with the attacker marking the occasion by scoring the only goal from the penalty spot.
      Rashford wrote on Twitter: “I’ve always been in the mindset that you don’t need an armband to be a leader on the pitch but I can’t lie, this feeling is unexplainable. Thank you England what an honour.”
      Elsewhere, Kevin De Bruyne will be fit to play for Belgium at Euro 2020, according to boss Roberto Martinez.
      The attacking midfielder’s participation looked doubtful, after being forced off in the Champions League final having been body checked by Antonio Rudiger.
      De Bruyne, 29, suffered an orbital fracture to his left eye socket and was in tears as he exited the pitch.
      Martinez, 47, said: “The operation took place on Sunday and it went well. He will join the group on Monday and will be with us for the Euros.”
      Load more entries… More

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      Ukraine’s Euro 2020 kit sparks outrage in Russia by including Crimea in map of country on front of shirt

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      RUSSIA have been left furious by Ukraine’s Euro 2020 kit that includes a map of their country including Crimea.Ukraine unveiled their new yellow strip on Sunday ahead of the start of the tournament.
      Ukraine have unveiled their new kit for Euro 2020 ahead of the start of the tournamentCredit: Getty
      The strip contains a map of Ukraine including Crimea, which has sparked outrage in RussiaCredit: AFP
      It includes a map of their nation on the front of their shirt.
      Much to Russia’s anger, the Crimean peninsula is included in the design.
      Also on the kit are the slogans ‘Glory to Ukraine!’ and ‘Glory to the heroes!’
      The pro-Russian separatist-controlled regions of Donetsk and Lugansk also feature in the silhouette.
      Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, considering the area to be part of their territory.
      Though this has been rejected internationally, with the United Nations still recognising Crimea as being part of Ukraine.
      Both phrases on the kit have become widely used in Ukraine in the military as well as by supporters of the 2014 revolution that forced out pro-Moscow president Viktor Yanukovych, who now lives in Russia.
      According to the BBC, Uefa have approved Ukraine’s shirt and the country’s head of the Football Association Andriy Pavelko lauded their design.
      He wrote on his Facebook page: “We believe that the silhouette of Ukraine will give strength to the players, because they will fight for all Ukraine.
      “And all Ukraine, from Sevastopol and Simferopol to Kyiv, from Donetsk and Lugansk to Uzhgorod will support them in every match.”
      Russia annexed the peninsula in 2014, while the United Nations recognises Crimea as being part of UkraineCredit: Getty
      Ukraine’s kit contains the phrase ‘Glory to the heroes!’ on the inside of the shirtCredit: Reuters
      The slogan ‘Glory to Ukraine!’ can be seen on the top of the back of the shirtCredit: Reuters

      But Russian parliamentary deputy Dmitry Svishchev hit out at Ukraine’s kit, saying that the design is a “a political provocation”.
      He then claimed that showing a map of Ukraine “which includes a Russian territory is illegal”.
      Meanwhile Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharov took to social media where she stated that the slogans used on the shirts echoed a German Nazi rallying cry.
      Relations between the two countries deteriorated sharply following the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
      Things got worse after the start of a Russian-backed separatist rebellion in eastern Ukraine in 2014.
      “I was a wreck” – Tony Adams on his secret battle with alcoholism as captain of England’s 1996 Euros side More

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      Take on Alex Scott’s Dream Team Euros side starring Foden and Mount by picking your XI for Euro 2020

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      YOU can take on Alex Scott in Dream Team Euros this summer and be in with a chance of winning £50,000.The brilliant fantasy football game allows you to pit your wits against thousands of other players in a share for the top prize.
      WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game 

      And best of all, it’s completely FREE to play.
      The finals get underway on Friday, when Italy take on Turkey at the Stadio Olimpico.
      So make sure you’ve picked your team by then.
      WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!
      The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
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      You’ll be able to take on Scott by joining her mini-league.
      Just register, pick your side and then enter the code ‘EUASCOTT.’
      The former Arsenal right-back and now television presenter has picked a pair of England aces in her star-studded XI.
      Scott’s gone for Mason Mount and Phil Foden to bag the points in a midfield also joined by Youri Tielemans and Germany’s attacking menace Serge Gnabry.
      In attack, the SunSport columnist opted against Harry Kane but has gone for Europe’s big hitters.
      Alex Scott has opted for England ace Mason Mount in midfieldCredit: PA
      France superstar Kylian Mbappe unsuprisingly leads the lineCredit: AFP

      France wonderkid Kylian Mbappe leads the line alongside Romelu Lukaku and Italy’s Ciro Immobile.
      The ever-reliable Leonardo Bonucci lines up in a back three with Manchester City ace Ruben Dias while Scott has shown her loyalty to the Gunners by picking Kieran Tierney.
      Between the sticks, Thibaut Courtois gets the nod.
      So don’t miss out, prove that you’ve got what it takes to beat Scott and sign up to Dream Team Euros.

      HOW TO PLAY
      The premise will be familiar to many: pick the best possible XI from the players participating in Euro 2020 without exceeding a set budget – £50million to be exact.
      Once we’re underway, you’ll have 20 transfers to use throughout the tournament to react to the unfolding drama.
      Your players will score points based on their performances with goalkeepers and defenders mainly benefiting from clean sheets while the best midfielders and forwards will be the ones banging in the goals.
      There’s also points for assists, hat-tricks, match ratings of 7+ – supplied by WhoScored – and the player with the highest match rating once the dust has settled will also be named Star Man – an accolade that earns them an additional five points.
      Not only that, the overall winner at the end of the tournament will win £50,000!
      That’s right, your football knowledge could earn you a life-changing amount of money.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      BBC release promo for Euro 2020 featuring Bale, Ronaldo and Mbappe for this summer More

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      Mbappe’s hilarious reaction after Griezmann tells him he signed PSG star for Newcastle on Football Manager

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE reacted hilariously when told by Antoine Griezmann that he’d signed for Newcastle for £115million on Football Manager.The computer game is popular in the French camp, with Ousmane Dembele having obsessed over a Winchester FC save during the 2018 World Cup.
      Griezmann told Mbappe that he’d signed him for Newcastle for £115m (€134m)
      Kylian Mbappe didn’t appear impressed
      This time around, it’s Barcelona star Griezmann that’s showing off his progress.
      Griezmann, 30, boasted to the camera of his many achievements with the Toon Army.
      The forward revealed that he’d won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League and Super Cup with the Geordies.
      He expected lavish praise from FM connoisseur Dembele for his achievements.
      But his Barca team-mate merely said that it’s ‘not bad’.
      Incredulous, Griezmann then yelled over to Mbappe, who was sitting on the other aisle of their team flight, that he’d signed him for Newcastle on the game.
      At first the PSG star responded: “Where?”
      Before saying in a deadpan voice: “It is not very warm there.”

      Griezmann expected Dembele to be more impressed

      BETTING SPECIAL – GET ENGLAND TO WIN EURO 2020 AND HARRY KANE TO BE TOP SCORER AT 18/1

      The French camp isn’t lacking for team spirit heading into Euro 2020.
      Boss Didier Deschamps has built a tight-knit group, with the world champions going into the tournament as one of the favourites.
      As for Mbappe, his future will be up in the air come the end of the competition – with his PSG contract having just one year remaining.
      But rather than Newcastle United, his most likely suitors are Real Madrid.
      WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!
      The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
      And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
      CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
      Dream Team Euros

      £50,000 jackpot
      The best fantasy football game this summer
      Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
      FREE to play

      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      BBC release promo for Euro 2020 featuring Bale, Ronaldo and Mbappe for this summer More