Euro 2024

MARCUS RASHFORD has been left out of Matthew Upson’s England starting XI for their Euro 2024 opener.The Three Lions will begin their campaign against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on June 16.Matthew Upson has named his starting XI for England’s Euro 2024 openerCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdThere is no room for Marcus Rashford in Upson’s line-upCredit: GettyFormer defender Upson, who won 21 caps for England, has chosen his team for that first match.Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Belgium, he listed Jordan Pickford as his starting goalkeeper behind a back four of Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire and Ben Chilwell.In midfielder, he considered both Jordan Henderson and Conor Gallagher to partner Declan Rice.However, he ultimately opted for Manchester United teenager Kobbie Mainoo.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLJustifying his decision, Upson told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I really like the look of Kobbie Mainoo. I think he’ll be a great addition in the midfield.”Real energy, real understanding. He’s got character and I think he’s got the mentality to deal with that level.”He finished by naming an attacking trio of Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham and Ben Foden behind striker Harry Kane.Upson added that Saka deserves his spot for his “devastating form”, whilst the centre forward position “picks itself” after Kane’s performances for England and Bayern Munich.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAs for Rashford, the 26-year-old has scored 17 goals in 60 caps for England.He has also featured at each of the last four major international tournaments.Gareth Southgate presents Kobbie Mainoo, Anthony Gordon and Ezri Konsa with England caps after their debuts v BrazilThe United forward was only a second half sub against Brazil on Saturday, though, and was again named on the bench on Tuesday.Belgium’s midweek visit to Wembley Stadium is England’s final match before Gareth Southgate names his squad for Euro 2024.As well as Serbia, his side will also face Denmark and Slovenia during the group stage in Germany this summer. More

GEORGIA’S 2024 play-off final with Greece exploded into mayhem – peaking with two red cards.A head-to-head flare-up between two players turned into a mass scuffle as team-mates and coaching staff joined in.”A Final with an edge – it has been furious, it has been frantic!” 🗣️ Tensions boil over at the half-time whistle in this heated #EURO2024 Play-Off Final between Georgia and Greece 😡 pic.twitter.com/gIsbFojPlk— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) March 26, 2024

Tuesday’s Euro play-off final in Tbilisi veered out of controlCredit: AFPThe skirmish was sparked when Georgia’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia reacted angrily to the close attentions of Greek rival Petros MantalosCredit: ReutersReferee Szymon Marciniak eventually sent off Georgia’s sub keeper Giorgi Loria and another man – reportedly a member of Greece’s backroom team.Trouble had long been brewing as home winger Kvicha Kvaratskhelia became increasingly agitated by some fierce treatment.And on the stroke of the interval Kvaratskhelia raged when Greece midfielder Petros Mantalos appeared to manhandle him by the touchline.Other players rushed in as the pair squared up.READ MORE TOP STORIESAnd the result was the half-time whistle sounding with a large group of players and staff still skirmishing.Marciniak got out his red card to pursue two people off the pitch – brandishing it to both Loria and another tracksuited man.The match itself remained on a knife-edge – Greece clinging on amid a goalless 90 minutes and extra time before penalties were needed.One fan posted: “Full of passion and life, but very little quality.”Most read in Euro 2024The clashes on the touchline spilled of the pitchCredit: ReutersIt was the first of Tuesday night’s three play-off final for a place at this summer’s Euros in Germany.Wales vs Poland and Ukraine vs Iceland were to follow.Greece midfielder Tasos Bakasetas continued the argumentBiggest football kit fails after controversy over new England shirt More

GARETH SOUTHGATE could be handed a major England headache ahead of Euro 2024… and not just when trimming down his squad.The Three Lions boss will be trusted with the difficult task of picking 23 players for the European Championship finals in Germany as England bid to win their first major senior men’s title since 1966.Gareth Southgate could face a massive England selection headache in the summerCredit: RexA number of young stars including Kobbie Mainoo are eligible to switch allegiances before Euro 2024Credit: RexCole Palmer remains eligible to switch to Saint Kitts and Nevis despite playing twice for EnglandCredit: GettyHowever, a number of rising stars could cause a ruckus by switching international allegiance before the summer rolls around.Fifa rules on international representation, which were updated in 2020, say players can switch nationalities as long as they have played no more than three senior matches before the age of 21.There also needs to be a period of three years in between a player’s last appearance for the nation they want to switch from, with none of those games coming in World Cup or Continental finals such as the Euros.Players under the age of 21 are free to switch if they hold the nationality of the country they wish to play for.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLEven if they did not so previously, a player can switch if they were under the age of 21 when they featured for the country they want to change from.England have lost players such as former Arsenal ace Folarin Balogun to switches of allegiance, with the former England Under-21 ace now representing the USA.Rising Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo is one such star who could switch from England with no issues.The 18-year-old – who is in line for his first England start against Belgium – is eligible to play for Ghana despite playing for the Three Lions in Saturday’s friendly defeat to Brazil.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKEREngland Under-21 stars Anthony Gordon and Curtis Jones could switch allegiances tooCredit: GettyFellow debutant Anthony Gordon, 23, could move to a Euro 2024 rival and sensationally line up against England if he were to switch to Scotland before the tournament.Tartan Army boss Steve Clarke is said to be keeping tabs on three stars, with Gordon joined by Newcastle team-mate Elliot Anderson, 21, and 18-year-old Leeds United prodigy Archie Gray.Biggest football kit fails after controversy over new England shirtAlthough Anderson was called up to the seniors by Clarke last year, having switched between Scotland and England youth teams, but was forced to pull out due to injury.Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer, 21, has two Three Lions appearances to his name and is thus another star with a looming threat switch due to his eligibility to play for Saint Kitts and Nevis through his father. England Under-21 regulars Morgan Gibbs-White, 24, and Curtis Jones, 23, are also free to change countries, with respective switches to Jamaica and Nigeria on the cards.Of course, given England’s somewhat limited options in midfield it would be easy to imagine pathways for the pair opening up in the near future.Morgan Gibbs-White is eligible to switch to JamaicaCredit: GettyLeeds youngster Archie Gray is being eyed by Steve ClarkeCredit: GettyEngland youth star Elliot Anderson has been called up by Scotland but had to pull out due to injuryCredit: PA More