Euro 2024

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      Fans think they’ve worked out Euro 2024 winner with incredible conspiracy theory… and it’s bad news for England

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      FANS believe that they have figured out who will win Euro 2024 with a conspiracy theory.It follows on from the results of the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.
      Hosts Qatar won the Asian CupCredit: Getty
      Ivory Coast won Afcon in their own countryCredit: AP
      Germany will be hoping to continue the trend at Euro 2024Credit: Getty
      Both of the continental competitions were won by the host nations.
      Qatar beat Jordan 3-1 in the final at the Lusail Stadium after Akram Afif netted a hat-trick of penalties.
      Ivory Coast followed up the success as they came from behind to beat Nigeria in the Afcon final.
      Franck Kessie cancelled out William Troost-Ekong’s opener before former West Ham striker Sebastien Haller scored the winning goal.
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      With Euro 2024 being held in Germany, some fans are now backing the host nation to come out on top again.
      One German fan wrote: “There is always a chance.”
      A second commented: “You wouldn’t bet against them!!”
      A third wrote: “Toni Kroos winning euros before retiring, I’ll be there.”
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      This would be bad news for England.
      There are high hopes for Gareth Southgate’s squad despite the fact the Three Lions have not won any silverware since the World Cup in 1966.
      Aston Villa quickly cut Gareth Southgate from big screen during Man Utd clash as England manager is BOOED by fans
      England have been drawn in a tricky group with Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia.
      Their route to the final could include tough clashes against Euro 2020 winners Italy and France.
      Southgate could have an ace up his sleeve as he is considering calling up Manchester United wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo.
      The midfielder could slot in alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham in the centre of the pitch. More

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      Gareth Southgate drops biggest hint yet he’ll lead England into 2026 World Cup with contract set to end in months

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE has given the strongest signal yet he is considering leading England into the 2026 World Cup.The Three Lions’ longest-serving coach since Sir Bobby Robson had previously hinted he would be ready to quit after this summer’s Euro 2024 finals.
      Gareth Southgate has hinted he could lead England at the next World CupCredit: AP
      But at last night’s Nations League draw he admitted the lure of staying at the helm for another two years was one that he might not be able to resist – as long as he believes he is still the right man for the job.
      Southgate said: “Without a doubt it’s exciting to take this team and always has been.
      “In the end, we’ve got to deliver performance, and you’ve got to make the best decisions for everybody.
      “I won’t be in a position to make that decision before the tournament.”
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      He added: “There’s probably 55 international coaches and there’s a fair chance half of them won’t be here after the Euros. That’s international football.
      “You’ve got to keep winning football matches, and then make decisions.
      “So I’m completely relaxed about that. All my focus is on delivering the best possible tournament this summer.”
      Southgate’s contract runs until December.
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      However, it had been anticipated he would move aside for a replacement to take charge of the autumn Nations League games which saw England draw Finland, Republic of Ireland and Greece.
      He said: “We’ve always built this period in afterwards to reflect on things and to make the best possible decisions for England.
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      “If we did anything before, it would be detrimental to the performance in the summer, whichever way your decision went.
      “We’ve got to see how the summer goes, it’s as simple as that.
      “I know what we’re capable of achieving in the summer, what my own benchmark of success is.
      “That won’t necessarily determine my decision. My only focus is to try and win the tournament for England.” More

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      Aleksander Ceferin announces shock decision to quit as Uefa president less than an hour after winning vote to stay on

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      UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin stunned European football when he announced he will QUIT his role in 2027 – less than an hour after winning a vote to stay on for an extra FOUR years.In a bizarre turn of events, the Slovenian told a press conference of his intention BEFORE informing Uefa’s 55 member associations.
      Aleksander Ceferin will step down from his role as UEFA president in 2027Credit: Getty
      And it came after the FA was left isolated as the ONLY association to vote against giving Ceferin the right to stay in the role until 2031.
      Wembley chief executive Mark Bullingham objected to the change in Uefa’s ruling Statutes which mean that Ceferin’s initial three year term after replacing Fifa-bound Gianni Infantino in 2016 will no longer count as having been served.
      Yet shortly afterwards, Ceferin made a testy appearance in which he savaged former Croatia superstar Zvonimir Boban – who quit his Uefa role in protest at the proposed changes last month – and made his surprise announcement.
      Ceferin said: “Honestly speaking, I’m tired of Covid, I’m tired of two wars and this nonsense project of the so-called Super League.
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      “I’m also tired of self-proclaimed moral authorities who are moral just until it comes to their personal interests.
      “So I decided – let’s say around six months ago – that I’m not planning to run in 2027 anymore.
      “After some time, every organisation needs fresh blood.
      “But it is  mainly because I have been away from my family for seven years now, and I will be away from them for three more until 2027. My family knew it first.”
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      Ceferin added that he had told a select group of key advisors of his decision and swore them to secrecy.
      That included Boban, who he labelled a “clown” and was a “test” of their loyalty.
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      Ceferin added: “I intentionally didn’t want to disclose my thoughts for two reasons.
      “Firstly, I wanted to see the real face of some people and I saw it; I saw good and bad parts.
      “But I didn’t want to influence the Congress.
      “I wanted them to decide not knowing what I’m telling you today because that’s an honest decision.
      “It was actually amusing to watch all this hysteria around and at the same time getting all the messages of support from my federations.”
      Turning to Boban, whom he did not name, Ceferin spat: “Now just two sentences about the self proclaimed moral authority.
      “This person does not deserve a comment from my side but people who know him and we will make their own opinions.
      “And for his pathetic cry about morality. He was one of the rare persons that knew that I was not going to run in 2027.
      “The moment that he got the information that I would disclose it after Congress he went out with his narcissistic letter.
      “He could not wait because after my disclosure his whining would not make sense any more. Now think, whose personal aspirations are in question? And think, whose morality is in question?”
      Ceferin then left after just three questions, with general secretary Theodor Theodoridis revealing he was heading back to the Uefa hotel across the city to inform the national association chiefs during their lunch break.
      Ceferin’s unexpected move means the FA’s “principled” stance was not actually necessary.
      Despite that, Wembely chiefs insisted they would still have votted the same way even if they had been aware of Ceferin’s real intentions.
      An FA spokeswoman said: “It was always about the principle and didn’t only apply to Aleksander Ceferin.
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      “We were supportive of the statute changes proposed by UEFA, with the exception of the proposed new wording on term limits.
      “We have recently implemented governance changes of our own and think it’s important that we are consistent in our approach.” More

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      Next England manager could start with clash against Haaland and huge derby as Three Lions learn Nations League fate

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      ENGLAND’S status as Nations League also-rans will become clear when the draw for the next version of the competition takes place in Paris on Thursday.Gareth Southgate’s side were embarrassingly relegated to League B after failing to win a single game in their 2022 group with Germany, Italy and Hungary.
      Gareth Southgate may not be England manager after the EurosCredit: AP
      The Three Lions could face Norway after the Nations League drawCredit: Reuters
      Southgate and his side looked drained at the end of a long campaign as they were battered 4-0 by the Hungarians at Molineux.
      Even a 3-3 Wembley draw with Germany in September, in their final game before the Qatar World Cup, could not improve a dire situation.
      And it means England WILL pay a 2026 World Cup seeding price even if they romp through their campaign in the autumn.
      Despite going down, England – and Wales – are top seeds in the B section of the draw.
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      Their hardest potential opponents would be Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard’s Norway, although other possible rivals from that section are Finland, Ukraine and Iceland.
      The Three Lions will also take on one of Euro 2024 group opponents Slovenia, Republic of Ireland – which would be an interesting experience for Declan Rice and Jack Grealish – Albania or Montenegro.
      And the group opponents will be completed by one from Georgia, Greece, Turkey or Kazakhstan – which would mean a seven-hour flight to one of Europe’s most easterly outposts.
      England will be firm favourites to win the group and gain promotion back to the top tier – which next season will include Scotland.
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      But it means Southgate’s side cannot be one of the 12 top seeds for the 2026 qualifying campaign – and risk facing the likes of France, Germany, Spain or Italy to earn a direct berth without the nervousness of a play-off.
      Europe has 16 places at the expanded World Cup, with the 12 group winners qualifying by right and the runners up joining the four remaining best Nations League performers in a series of one-off shoot-outs for the last four places in March 2026.
      Does Gareth Southgate have to win EURO 2024 to be a GREAT England manager?
      Those seeding slots for the draw, due to take place in December, will be directly given to the top three teams in each of the four A League divisions.
      Meanwhile, Southgate will be preparing for England’s final games before Euro 2024.
      The Three Lions will face Bosnia at St James’ Park on June 3 before playing against Iceland on June 7.
      England face Serbia in their Euro 2024 opener in Gelsenkirchen before clashes against Denmark and Slovenia.
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      Man City star Foden is central to England’s Euro hopes – but that doesn’t mean he should play in the middle

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      PHIL FODEN has to play in the middle for England. Apparently.Everyone saying so knows better than Gareth Southgate, the second most successful England manager of all time.
      Phil me in – England boss Gareth Southgate tells Phil Foden what he wants from himCredit: Reuters
      The 23-year-old took home the match ball after a brilliant hat-trick at BrentfordCredit: Getty
      And better than Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, one of the greatest coaches in history, who usually prefers Foden on the wing – especially in the big games.
      Let’s be clear: the 23 year old is one of the greatest talents of his generation and is having arguably the best season of his trophy-laden career to date.
      England stand a better chance of success at this summer’s Euros and in the future if Southgate and his successors can find a way to harness all his qualities.
      But Foden’s hat-trick against Brentford has created a strange hysteria.
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      It is true that Guardiola has used Foden in a more central role, more often, recently. But if you look at some of those other games, they were against Luton, Crystal Palace, Everton and Sheffield United.
      Against tougher opponents, Foden has operated from a wide position – from the right against Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle, and the left against Arsenal.
      Southgate, while giving Foden chances in central midfield or a No 10-like role against lesser nations, has simply done the same.
      And don’t forget England are not the Manchester City of international football.
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      Foden can do what he does for City because of the players around him – Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland.
      England have high quality players, too, but they have different profiles.
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      Southgate isn’t playing fantasy football, where you can load your team with attacking players likely to produce goals and assists and forget about whether it would actually work on the pitch.
      Look at it another way: in the 4-2-3-1 formation Southgate currently favours, would you pick Foden in the No 10 role ahead of Jude Bellingham? The Real Madrid star has had more standout performances for England than Foden.
      Or should Foden be ahead of Bukayo Saka at right wing? Saka scored and was part of a superb all-round Arsenal performance against Liverpool at the weekend, not a struggling Brentford team.
      Foden said after the Bees game that he was loving the central role but accepted he would have to play where he is told by Guardiola. It should be no different for England.
      When England beat Senegal 3-0 in the last 16 of the Qatar World Cup, Foden said it was his best display for England.
      And where did he start? Left wing, in a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Declan Rice holding. Since Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish are having difficult campaigns, that left flank is crying out for quality more than the right one occupied by Saka.
      In modern football, systems are fluid. And the idea that the England boss keeps Foden, or anyone else, on a piece of mental elastic to stop them expressing themselves, is ridiculous.
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      Of course it is Southgate’s job to try to make Foden as effective for England as he is for City.
      But it’s far more complicated than his critics – and the player’s devotees – would have you believe. More

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      England’s final fixtures before Euro 2024 CONFIRMED with Three Lions heading to Newcastle for first time in 19 years

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      ENGLAND’S final fixtures before Euro 2024 have been revealed. And they’re heading to St James’ Park for the first time in 19 years.
      Gareth SouthgateCredit: AFP
      Gareth Southgate’s team have just two fixtures left before Euro 2024 begins, for which they are currently joint 4/1 favourites with France.
      First of all, Southgate’s team will head to Newcastle to play Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday June 3 with a 7.45pm kick-off.
      The Three Lions will be hoping for a repeat of their last visit to The Toon in the 2005 Fifa World Cup qualifier, when they beat Azerbaijan 2-0 with David Beckham and Steven Gerrard hitting the target.
      It’ll be an historic night with it being the Three Lion’s first ever match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, who themselves need to beat Ukraine in March’s play-offs to secure their place at Euro 2024.
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      Five days later, England will head to Wembley Stadium for their sixth ever meeting against Iceland on Friday June 7 for another 7.45pm start.
      The traumatic loss against the minnows in 2016, who were then ranked 34th in the world, prompted a management overhaul and Southgate took over just a few months later.
      England redeemed themselves in 2020 when they beat Iceland 4-0 behind-closed-doors at Wembley, with Phil Foden and Declan Rice getting their first goals for England.
      Iceland still have a play-off against Israel to contend with, and will be hoping to have secured their place at Euro 2024 when they hit Wembley.
      Most read in FootballENGLAND FIXTURES BEFORE EURO 2024Bosnia and Herzegovina – St James Park, Monday June 3, 7.45pm.

      Iceland – Wembley Stadium, Friday June 7, 7.45pm.

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      Southgate said: “We’re really looking forward to taking the team back to the North East and to a city that is synonymous with football in this country.
      “We will follow that with another special occasion at Wembley allowing our fans the opportunity to give us a final send off before we head to Germany for another exciting summer.
      “Both opponents in June are sure to provide stiff competition and play an important part in our preparation for the tournament.”
      Euro 2024 will see Germany hosting a major international tournament for the first time since the 2006 World Cup, when England missed three penalties against Portugal in the quarter-finals.
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      After finishing top in their qualifying group, the Three Lions were placed in Pot 1, meaning they avoid group-stage matches against Portugal, France, Spain, Belgium and the hosts.
      They’re in Group C along with Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia, with all the action kicking off in Germany on June 14. More

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      England Wags ‘looking at £5,000-a-day luxury coach with bars, kitchens and games consoles’ for Euro 2024

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      ENGLAND’S Wags are looking to hire their own luxury coach for Euro 2024.The partners of the Three Lions stars will travel around Germany supporting Gareth Southgate’s side this summer.
      England’s Wags are looking to hire a £5,000-a-day luxury coach for Euro 2024Credit: PA
      Jordan Pickford’s wife Megan is amongst the Wags set to travel around GermanyCredit: Getty
      According to the Mirror, the luxury coach will include bars, kitchens and beds for those on board.
      Costing up to £5,000-a-day, the transport also features gaming consoles for the children travelling with the group.
      The report adds that despite the cost, it is seen as the most practical option for the Wags.
      Kieran Trippier’s wife Charlotte, Harry Maguire’s wife Fern and Megan Davison, the wife of Jordan Pickford, are believed to be part of the group eyeing a luxury coach.
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      Jack Grealish’s girlfriend Sasha Attwood and Luke Shaw’s partner Anouska Santos are also said to be expected to travel to Germany.
      England will face Serbia in Gelsenkirchen in their opening group match before playing Denmark in Frankfurt and Slovenia in Cologne.
      Southgate’s squad will be based at the five-star Golfresort Weimarer Land near the town of Blankenhain.
      The Three Lions reportedly beat Austria to securing the hotel as their base for the tournament.
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      Jack Grealish’s girlfriend Sasha Attwood cheered England on at the 2022 World CupCredit: Getty
      The Wags are looking to hire a coach which includes bars, kitchens and bedsCredit: Getty
      It is understood a secluded location was chosen by the FA to avoid a repeat of the Baden-Baden circus at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
      Wives and girlfriends of the players stole the headlines 18 years ago with nights out and shopping sprees during the tournament.
      England’s Wags plan to stay at luxury £1,750 a night German castle for next year’s Euros
      The partners for this summer’s Euros are searching for a hotel similar to the one used in 2006.
      At the 2022 World Cup, many of the families and loved ones stayed on board the MSC World Europa cruise liner, which was docked in Doha.
      Meanwhile, Southgate gave permission for visits to the team hotel as his side reached the quarter-finals in Qatar. More

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      Play about thug who put lit flare up his bum at Euros final set to premiere in London

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      A PLAY about the Euros footie yob who put a lit flare up his bum is getting the big-stage treatment.One-man show Why I Stuck A Flare Up My A*** For England is based on fan Charlie Perry.
      Play Why I Stuck A Flare Up My A*** For England is coming to the London stage
      Yob Charlie Perry put a lit flare up his bum before the England vs Italy final at Wembley in 2021Credit: 2021 Elliott Franks
      Minutes later: Perry bends over and places lit flare between bare cheeks
      He is reimagined as Billy, whose pals urge him to try ever-more dangerous stunts before the England vs Italy final at Wembley in 2021.
      Alex Hill, 23, wrote and starred as Billy in its Edinburgh Fringe debut last year.
      He is bringing the show to London’s Southwark Playhouse from April 17 to May 4 — ahead of Euro 2024’s kick-off in Germany on June 14.
      Alex said: “I had a photo of the bum-flare man on my wall for months and kept circling back to it and seeing how I could make it work.
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      “He was the guy in Leicester Square but it happened a few times on the day.
      “It was such an epic thing but totally ludicrous.
      “In a way it was theatre within itself.
      “A lot of men go to the football and put on a massive act, as that’s their window to be whoever they want to be every weekend.
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      “But that sort of behaviour has consequences, and that’s the basis of the story.
      “I read a lot of interviews with bum-flare man and a lot of people had said that everyone should cut him some slack.
      “He’s welcome anytime.
      “How we pull off the stunt is the magic of theatre — you’ll have to come along to find out.”
      Perry sank ciders and took cocaine before his stunt.
      He said after: “It was very irresponsible.”
      Perry said he sank ciders and took cocaine before his stuntCredit: The Sun More