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    Inside Euro 2024 security HQ where crack cops work around the clock to protect tournament from terrorists and hooligans

    HIGH-definition screens flash constant streams of data as British intelligence researchers work around the clock in a vast security nerve centre bigger than a football pitch.Crack police teams from nations across Europe sit side-by-side at workstations in a constant vigil to snuff out potentially deadly threats.Policing teams from across Europe will be working together at Euro 2024 to combat disorder and potential terror threatsCredit: AFPGerman police have been taking part in operational drills at stadiums ahead of Euro 2024Credit: EPABut this is not Britain’s GCHQ listening post or a Pentagon war room — it is the hub of the biggest soccer security operation in history at Euro 2024 in Germany this summer.It is expected that 300,000 fans of England and Scotland will head from the UK for the month-long tournament, which kicks off on June 14.German authorities admit that, as well as soccer hooligans, they are trying to counter unprecedented terror threats from IS and rogue factions spilling out of the war to the east in Ukraine.And growing tensions in the Middle East are only adding to their security concerns.READ MORE EURO 2024Germany’s answer has been to pull together 300 of Europe’s top police brains to oversee the daunting security challenge from the purpose-built International Police Cooperation Centre at Neuss in western Germany.And the man in charge of the British presence spoke for the first time last night of the vital role that will be played by three specialist officers spearheading the intelligence operation.Former Met officer Mick Johnson, director of the UK Football Policing Unit, told The Sun on Sunday: “I’ve no doubt it’ll be a well-run machine.“We’ll have three staff working shifts. That’s one more than most nations, because English fans tend to start early and finish late.Most read in Football“They’ll work in three-day stints starting one day before games, match day itself and the day after.“We have a team of plain-clothed operational football officers — once called spotters — on the ground watching fans who will report to our team based in the IPCC.Euro 2024 Controversy: Spying Suspicions in Scotland Fans’ Lodging“If they spot anyone causing trouble, or identify anyone who’s been banned from matches, they will tell the IPCC team who’ll relay it to the Germans who will step in to take action as they see fit.“There will be three or four games a day so each hub will feed into the central IPCC coordinating centre at the same time.“It’s a good system. We’ve used it many times and I have to say the Germans are up with the best in the world at organising it.”Security forces face the task of protecting 2.7million fans, 24 team base camps, and ten stadiums where 51 matches will be played between June 14 and July 14. Top officials in Germany have been visiting the policing HQ as they prepare for an influx of fans next monthCredit: GettyPolice officers will have direct contact with the nerve centre as they keep control of fans around the groundsCredit: GettyPolice leave has been banned as fan zones nationwide are expected to attract 12million visitors and have been identified as the most likely terror targets.In an unprecedented move, Germany has invited 300 security experts from competing nations to the state-of-the-art Neuss HQ.UK experts will work in shifts alongside officials from Germany, Europol and European football body Uefa sifting data from live CCTV streams and the undercover spotters mingling with fans. The hub of the operation is a hangar-like 500  sq  metre conference room equipped with 129 computers and a giant 40  sq  metre screen.Tournament director Philipp Lahm said: “From the outset, security has been our top priority.”Oliver Strudthoff, director of the IPCC, said: “Each country knows its troublemakers better than any other and the foreign experts present in Neuss will be able to identify them more quickly.“A delegation’s size will depend on number of fans and how potentially dangerous they are. “England, for example, will have more representatives than Switzerland.”Among the visitors to the HQ was Herbert Reul, minister of the interior of North Rhine-Westphalia.The country’s interior minister, Nancy Faeser, revealed in March that an Islamist attack in Moscow had raised “dangers to a new level”.Her chilling alert came just days after the ISIS-K terrorist atrocity at a concert hall in Moscow killed 143.Among the drastic steps taken to protect Three Lions fans will be a plan to close borders temporarily and to ramp up frontier checks. A ring of steel will be thrown around every team base, including the home for Gareth Southgate’s England stars, who will be staying with their families at the five-star Weimarer Land Golf Resort and Spa in Blankenhain.More than 1,600 known England yobs have been banned from travel to Germany during the tournament.Between 800 and 1,300 police will be deployed around the stadiums at each match guarding three separate security perimeters.Cars will be checked at the first, bags searched at the second and tickets scanned at the third.Fan zones are feared to be softer terror targets as they welcome tens of thousands for every match.The German Army will scan the skies around matches for drone attacks and will feed data into the IPCC central command.Mr Johnson, whose nerve centre team will be led by his deputy Paul Foley, expects a minority of England fans to cause trouble but shares the hope it will be kept to a minimum.He said: “With England there are always going to be those who drink too much and engage in anti-social behaviour. “They might sing songs that they shouldn’t and are generally a pain in the arse.“But, by and large, they don’t get involved in premeditated violent outbursts and we’ve no major concerns with any of the teams we’ll be playing in the group stages.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We’re hopeful that it’s going to be really pleasant and enjoyable for all and let’s hope England fans get voted best fans in the tournament. “We’ve got to win something.”English police are hoping the nation’s supporters are the best behaved at the tournamentCredit: Getty More

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    ‘World Cup’s sexiest fan’ Ivana Knoll reveals she WILL be heading to Euros after sparking frenzy in Qatar with racy snap

    FOOTBALL’s “sexiest fan” who thrilled millions of people during the 2022 Qatar World Cup will return to the stands for the Euros.Former Miss Croatia Ivana Knoll sparked a frenzy after she shared her raunchy snaps donning some revealing outfits while cheering for her country’s team.Knoll stunned at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with her racy, Croatia-themed outfitsThe former Miss Croatia cheering for her team along with fans in the standsCredit: RexThe brunette bombshell is known for flaunting her stunning figure on social mediaCredit: Not known, clear with picture deskCroatian model Ivana Knoll teased that she will be at Euro 2024 this summerHaving captured the attention of the football world with her signature Croatia-themed outfits, the model, 31, was awarded the “sexiest fan” title.Following Croatia’s 4-2 friendly win over Egypt last month, Knoll teased a return to screens again this summer to take part in the Euro Cup festivities. The brunette bombshell shared an iconic picture of herself attending a game in one of her trademark Croatia-themed outfits to her 3 million followers, along with the caption: “Let’s go for Euro 2024.”A follow-up post of her in a black bikini with the caption “Europe in 2 months” added fuel to the fire.Euros 2024But she has now confirmed she will be travelling to Europe to give spectators another starlight show amid the much-awaited championship. Posting a story on Instagram, the model wrote: “I am going to the Euros. See you all at the matches.”The influencer said she has bought all the tickets – and is “keeping her fingers crossed” for Croatia. She told Bild: “I have tickets for all three of my Croatia’s preliminary round games. And if they advance, I’ll be there too! Most read in Football”Of course, I keep my fingers crossed for them.”Fans are now beyond excited to catch a glimpse of the model when Croatia kicks off their Euro 2024 campaign against Spain on June 15.Croatia league matches Knoll will attend THE model is expected to attend all the Croatia league games.
    June 15: Croatia vs Spain at Olympiastadion, Berlin
    June 19: Croatia vs Albania at Volksparkstadion, Hamburg
    June 24: Croatia vs Italy at Leipzig Stadium, Leipzig

    Knoll’s newfound stardom saw her rise in popularity across social media, leading to party invites from Leonardo DiCaprio and appearances at various fashion shoots.There was even a debut at the Formula One Grand Prix in Las Vegas last year as she wowed spectators once again.The model’s appearance at the 2022 World Cup was not her first at a major international tournament, however.Should she turn up in Germany this summer, then it will come a decade after she first caught the eye in the stands at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.The star was also wearing racy, Croatia-themed costumes as the Balkans nation crashed out in the group stage.But Knoll really stood out in the conservative Arab nation of Qatar, where she went viral for daringly strolling around Doha in G-strings and curvaceous costumes.She also became horse racing’s sexiest fan after stunning in a very low-cut pink outfit at Florida race day in January.Last year, she shocked fans after revealing a dramatic career change to become a DJ.READ MORE SUN STORIESNot long after, she left fans stunned by joining the no-bra club for one of her gigs.Ivana wore a busty red number for the event in a sensational look as she snared snaps of her behind the decks.The World Cup’s sexiest fan Ivana Knoll was swamped by football fans during the 2022 World Cup in QatarCredit: SplashKnoll posing in the paddock during the 2024 Miami Grand PrixCredit: GettyShe is known to share snaps donning sensational outfitsCredit: The Mega AgencyKnoll pictured outside the ground ahead of a World Cup gameCredit: PA More

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    Euro 2024 squads: Germany and France CONFIRM 26-man list while England’s team set to be announced soon

    WITH the Premier League season coming to an end THIS weekend, international bosses are sweating over their squad selections for Euro 2024.The tournament begins this summer on June 14 before concluding on July 14.Gareth Southgate is mulling over his squad selection for Euro 2024Credit: GettyEngland will be hoping to go one better than they managed at Euro 2020, but know the task in Germany will not be easy.With that in mind, Gareth Southgate will have a big decision to make on the players who make the cut.When are Euro 2024 squads picked?The Uefa deadline for squads to be picked is June 7, just one week before the tournament starts. Southgate will pick his provisional England squad on May 21. Read more from Euro 2024Scotland boss Steve Clarke is yet to announce when he will name his provisional squad.Euro 2024 confirmed squads:Group AGermanyGoalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Alex Nubel (Stuttgart), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)Defenders: Waldemar Anton (Stuttgart), Benjamin Henrichs (RB Leipzig), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Robin Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maximilian Mittelstadt (Stuttgart), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)Midfielders: Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Chris Fuhrich (Stuttgart), Pascal Gross (Brighton and Hove Albion), Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich), Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)Most read in Euro 2024Forwards: Maximilian Beier (Hoffenheim), Niclas Fullkrug (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart)Arsenal’s Kai Havertz will be a part of the Germany squadCredit: GettyScotlandTo be namedHungaryGoalkeepers: Denes Dibusz (Ferencvaros), Peter Gulacsi (RB Leipzig), Peter Szappanos (Paks)Defenders: Botond Balogh (Parma), Endre Botka (Ferencvaros), Marton Dardai (Hertha BSC), Attila Fiola (Fehervar), Adam Lang (Omonia Nicosia), Willi Orban (RB Leipzig), Attila Szalai (Freiburg)Midfielders: Bendeguz Bolla (Servette), Mihaly Kata (MTK), Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth), Laszlo Kleinheisler (Hajduk Split), Adam Nagy (Spezia Calcio), Zsolt Nagy (Puskas Akademia), Loic Nego (Le Havre), Andras Schafer (Union Berlin), Callum Styles (Sunderland)Forwards: Martin Adam (Ulsan Hyundai), Kevin Csoboth (Ujpest), Daniel Gazdag (Philadelphia Union), Krisztofer Horvath (Kecskemet), Roland Sallai (Freiburg), Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool), Barnabas Varga (Ferencvaros)Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai will be on the plane for HungaryCredit: ReutersSwitzerlandTo be namedGroup BSpainTo be namedCroatiaTo be namedItalyTo be namedAlbaniaTo be namedGroup CSloveniaTo be namedDenmarkTo be namedSerbiaTo be namedEnglandTo be namedGroup DNetherlandsGoalkeepers: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Mark Flekken (Brentford), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton & Hove Albion), Nick Olij (Sparta Rotterdam)Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Daley Blind (Girona FC), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Lutsharel Geertruida (Feyenoord), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich), Ian Maatsen (Borussia Dortmund), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan)Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Frenkie de Jong (FC Barcelona), Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta), Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Jerdy Schouten (PSV Eindhoven), Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig), Quinten Timber (Feyenoord), Joey Veerman (PSV Eindhoven), Georginio Wijnaldum (Al Ettifaq)Forwards: Steven Bergwijn (Ajax), Brian Brobbey (Ajax), Memphis Depay (Atletico Madrid), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund), Wout Weghorst (Hoffenheim)Virgil van Dijk is set to captain the Netherlands at Euro 2024Credit: Kenny RamsayFranceGoalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens)Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Marseille), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid), Benjamin Pavard (Inter Milan), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), N’Golo Kante (Al-Ittihad), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus ), Aurlien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zare-Emery (PSG)Forwards: Bradley Barcola (PSG), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Ousmane Dembele (PSG), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Randal Kolo Muani (PSG), Kylian Mbappe (PSG), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)Kylian Mbappe will be hoping to lead France to victory at Euro 2024Credit: GettyPolandTo be namedAustriaTo be namedGroup EUkraineGoalkeepers: Andriy Lunin (Real Madrid), Anatoliy Trubin (Benfica), Heorhiy Bushchan (Dynamo Kyiv)Defenders: Yukhym Konoplia, Valeriy Bondar, Mykola Matvienko (all Shakhtar Donetsk), Oleksandr Tymchyk (Dynamo Kyiv), Vitaliy Mykolenko (Everton), Maksym Taloverov (LASK), Illia Zabarnyi (Bournemouth), Oleksandr Svatok (Dnipro-1)Midfielders: Taras Stepanenko, Oleksandr Zubkov, Heorhiy Sudakov (all Shakhtar Donetsk), Andriy Yarmolenko, Volodymyr Brazhko, Mykola Shaparenko (all Dynamo Kyiv), Serhiy Sydorchuk (Westerlo), Ruslan Malinovskyi (Genoa), Mykhailo Mudryk (Chelsea), Viktor Tsyhankov (Girona), Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal)Attackers: Artem Dovbyk (Girona), Roman Yaremchuk (Valencia), Vladyslav Vanat (Dynamo Kyiv)Reserves: Dmytro Riznyk, Danylo Sikan (both Shakhtar Donetsk), Vladyslav Kabayev, Vladyslav Buyalskyi, Denys Popov (all Dynamo Kyiv), Yehor Yarmoliuk (Brentford)Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk has made the cut for UkraineCredit: GettySlovakiaTo be namedBelgiumTo be namedRomaniaTo be namedGroup FPortugalTo be namedCzech RepublicTo be namedGeorgiaTo be namedTurkeyTo be namedHow many players can a manager select?Southgate will name a provisional 26-man squad in May, with a view to cutting it down to a 23-player limit.However, a shock twist could now see Southgate and rival bosses have 26 players to pick for the tournament.Uefa had decided to return the traditional smaller squads for this summer’s event.But number of national coaches had urged a rethink, citing the sheer number of injuries sustained by players this season.Uefa’s national competitions committee “narrowly” backed the proposal to revert to the extended squads allowed at both the delayed Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.READ MORE SUN STORIESOrganisers are torn on changing tournament rules at virtually the last minute.A final decision will be made by the ruling executive committee in the next few days. 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    Premier League legend, 33, gets sensational Euro 2024 call-up despite not playing for national team in two years

    PREMIER LEAGUE legend N’Golo Kante has been called up by France manager Didier Deschamps for Euro 2024.Kante, 33, is one of the greatest ever midfielders to grace the English top flight after two glittering stints at Leicester and Chelsea. Chelsea and Leicester legend N’Golo Kante has been recalled by FranceCredit: Getty – ContributorKante has been called up for Euro 2024 despite not playing for France in the last two yearsCredit: GettyThe Frenchman has been away from the spotlight in the last two years due to a hamstring injury he suffered during his final season at Stamford Bridge and his eventual move to Saudi Arabia.The versatile midfielder currently plays for Al-Ittihad alongside another legendary France team-mate in Karim Benzema.His change in circumstances have also seen him being omitted from his national team in the last two years with his last game taking place against Denmark at home in the Nations League back in 2022.However, France manager Deschamps hasn’t forgotten Kante and included him to his 25-man squad ahead of the summer’s tournament in Germany.Read More on FootballThe Al-Ittihad star will be joining some more Premier League stars, like West Ham’s Alphonse Areola, Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate and Arsenal’s William Saliba.Kante will get the chance to add to his 53 caps, which include two goals.The ex-Caen star will also look to complete the trifecta after already winning the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 Nations League title.Kante has also won every available silverware on club level starting with Leicester’s sensational Premier League triumph in 2016.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe France international was among the players that led the Foxes to the greatest underdog story in football history.Kante then moved to Chelsea the same summer and went on to lift another Prem title in 2017.Meet the ten Wags ready to stun at Euro 2024The midfielder also won the FA Cup in 2018, the Europa League in 2019 and the Championship League in 2021.England boss Gareth Southgate will also be announcing his own squad fairly soon.France’s Euro 2024 squadHere’s who France boss Didier Deschamps called up for this summer’s Euro 2024
    Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens)
    Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Marseille), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid), Benjamin Pavard (Inter Milan), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
    Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), N’Golo Kante (Al-Ittihad), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurelien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaïre-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
    Forwards: Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Randal Kolo Muani (Paris Saint-Germain), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan) More

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    England fans who upset locals by singing war songs like ‘Ten German Bombers’ face instant fines at Euro 2024

    ENGLAND fans who offend locals by singing songs like “Ten German Bombers” face instant cash fines at Euro 2024.UK police and the Foreign Office have been briefed that culprits will be marched straight to ATMs in Germany and ordered to pay up.England fans who offend locals by singing war songs like ‘Ten German Bombers’ face instant cash fines at Euro 2024Credit: Alamy Live NewsGerman police take part in an operational drill at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart in preparation for the upcoming EurosCredit: EPAFines are expected to be up to a month’s wages — with supporters instructed to declare their income.German sources confirmed the cash crackdown will be launched to deter boorish behaviour among the 300,000 fans expected during the tournament.A police source said yesterday: “The Germans have made it clear they will step in to stop threatening or anti-social behaviour. This includes offensive songs about World War Two.”Authorities warned war-related chants may inflame tensions in cities like Frankfurt and Cologne, which were blitzed by the RAF and where England are to play.READ MORE ON EURO 2024Michael Johnson, of the UK Football Policing Unit, said British cops mingling with fans would first warn unruly fans before German counterparts step in.He told The Sun yesterday: “Our officers can say, ‘Come on guys — you’re in Germany singing the Ten German Bombers song and it’s really not a good idea’.“If you still do that, you are likely to be arrested — you’ve had your warning.”He said fines may also be dished out for drunkenness and urinating in the street.Most read in FootballIt comes amid travel and security warnings for supporters heading to the tournament, which kicks off on June 14.Rail unions are threatening to strike as they claim they cannot guarantee fans’ safety after decades of under-investment.Scot ‘promised his weight in beers’ for walking Germany for the EurosPolice are also reported to have been hit by a £460million funding “black hole”.There is a CCTV shortage too, with laws limiting large-scale surveillance after the Cold War. Stefan Bisanz, who has worked for the military police, said: “When you have hundreds of thousands of fans, yes, it will be very difficult to manage this with no CCTV.” More

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    Gareth Southgate handed major blow as key England star suffers ‘setback’ just days before he names squad for Euro 2024

    LUKE SHAW has lost his race to make the Euro’s after being ruled out of Manchester United’s final two games of the season.But Harry Maguire, who has missed the last three games with a muscle injury, is set to make the FA Cup Final and the list for Germany.Luke Shaw will miss the EurosCredit: ReutersGareth Southgate will name his squad on TuesdayCredit: GettyShaw, 28, is the Three Lions first-choice left-back but has not played since February due to a hamstring injury.He was fighting to get back but his rehabilitation suffered a recent set-back.Gareth Southgate names his provisional 26-man squad next Tuesday for next month’s finals.United boss Erik ten Hag said: “F*or the cup final we’re working on it.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMaguire, 31, has a fair chance that he will be available, Luke is more complicated in this moment.”Let’s say it’s less of a chance he will make it but still a very small chance. He had a setback, now we have to find out how far it is.”United, who stand eighth, take on Brighton this Sunday with the Europa Conference their only chance of European football through the league.Victory in the FA Cup Final would, however, get them in the Europa League.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIt is a long way from this time last season when they had the Carabao Cup on the mantelpiece and were heading towards a third placed finish and a Cup Final.The win over Newcastle on Wednesday was only their second in nine in the league.Dream Team’s Nick Elliott previews this summer’s Euro 2024 tournament gameFor Ten Hag, however it was proof the players still believe in him.Indeed, he thinks only the 4-0 defeat away to Crystal Palace in that run was worthy of criticism.He said: “It was one very poor performance and all the others was a very good spirit.“I would almost say that across the season, with all the problems we had, the spirit in the team, the fighting spirit was always there, the dynamic was always there.“We had some good performances even when the best players were not available.”Ten Hag is set to start Lisandro Martinez on Sunday after he came on as a second-half sub in the game against Newcastle.He had previously played just once since February 4. More

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    England boss Gareth Southgate has already named 40-man squad for Euro 2024 as Uefa handed list

    GARETH SOUTHGATE has already handed over his first Euro 2024 squad to Uefa… but the names will remain a closely-guarded secret.Ahead of every major summer tournament, competing nations submit initial long lists featuring 40 names, with England submitting theirs a week ago.Gareth Southgate has handed over his preliminary squad list to UefaCredit: GettyThe players on the Three Lions’ list are now aware they will not be able to rush off on holiday hours after the final games on Sunday.The England boss will then name a Euro 2024 training squad next Tuesday featuring at least 30 players.Southgate’s men have a friendly at Newcastle against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 3 and then play Iceland four days later.Manchester City and Manchester United players will not feature in the first friendly at St James’ Park because they will only have just linked up with England after being given a week’s holiday following the FA Cup final.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLReal Madrid’s Jude Bellingham is likely to miss both friendlies as he will play in the Champions League final on June 1.England’s stars will first meet at Middlesbrough’s Rockliffe Park training ground on Wednesday May 29 and Southgate will want to ensure he has at least 22 players available for 11v11 matches.Southgate has the added worry of the Newcastle vs Tottenham friendly in Australia a week today and will hope the likes of James Maddison, Anthony Gordon and Kieran Trippier all avoid injury.The England manager will now have a 26-man squad after the number has been increased by Uefa from 23 players.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSouthgate will hand in his final Euro squad within two hours after the final game against Iceland on June 7 and it will be announced by the FA the following morning.Man City to be upstagedManchester City will have to share centre stage on the final day of the season… with Barry Manilow.Fans demand Rooney’s son Kai, 14, be ‘promoted to first-team’ after latest videoThe American singer is due to play at the troubled Co-op Live Arena on Sunday which is in the shadow of the Etihad and also part-owned by the City Football Group.It will be the first time a first-team game has clashed with a concert, meaning the logistics around the stadium will be severely tested.Olivia Rodrigo was due to play at the arena on the same day that City hosted Wolves earlier this month but it was postponed due to the teething problems at the venue.City’s own Rodrigo (Rodri) had top billing that day instead.Manilow announced recently he had lined up the AO arena – formerly known as the MEN Arena – as a back-up in case the Co-op was not ready but now, it looks like it’s going ahead.Free to signDougie Freedman’s chances of being offered the Newcastle sporting director job may have been helped by the fact that he uses the same agent as manager Eddie Howe.Currently Crystal Palace’s sporting director, Freedman – along with Toon boss Howe – is represented by Dean Baker of Wasserman Media Group.Howe’s relations with Newcastle’s outgoing sporting director, Dan Ashworth, have recently become strained so a good working relationship between the club’s two most senior football employees is vital.READ MORE SUN STORIESFreedman is down to the final two candidates for the role along with German recruitment expert Johannes Spors, who is currently the sporting director at 777Partners.He previously worked for Genoa, Vitesse Arnhem and Red Bull Leipzig. More

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    Gareth Southgate hints he might NOT pick full England squad for Euro 2024 despite Uefa ruling

    GARETH SOUTHGATE has dropped a huge hint that he might not pick the full 26 players allowed for his England Euro 2024 squad. Historically, the limit has been 23 players but both Euro 2020 and the last World Cup both saw that number expand to 26.Gareth Southgate may opt against taking a full squad to Euro 2024Credit: GettyUefa confirmed this month that squads for the European Championship will be allowed to be 26 again.Southgate will select a larger provisional squad on Tuesday 21 May before he was expected to whittle it down to 23 for the June 7 deadline.Now regulation change has allowed him the opportunity to take an additional three players.England have a number of injury worries in defence, especially at full-back.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAll of Kieran Trippier, Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw have been sidelined for lengthy spells this term.Southgate has now told BBC that the extra options with the squad numbers may help him with some of those “challenges”.However, he also refused to confirm that he would take advantage of the additional three.He says that he is yet to “decide whether 26 is the right amount” to take to Germany.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd he also added that “there’s no point in taking more players than we need”.Southgate also has a number of key decisions to make when it comes to his attack.I was Gareth Southgate’s best man and walked out on Arsenal – now I’m managing EFL’s newest club after Wembley promotionThe likes of Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Jack Grealish are all pushing for starts.And with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon all enjoying superb club form, competition is as fierce as ever.Southgate said: “Well, we can’t start them all.“They’re nice problems to have. You’d rather have talent and have to make decisions based on form, than not have those options and be scratching your heads on who to play in which position.“I think any manager would say the same thing.“You’d rather have good players to work with and to pick from.”England face Bosnia-Hergzovina and Iceland in friendlies before Southgate will have to submit his final squad.READ MORE SUN STORIESThey kick off their Euro group stage campaign against Serbia on June 16 before taking on Denmark four days later.The Three Lions then play Slovenia on June 25 in their final group game. More