Euro 2024

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      Inside abandoned stadium left overgrown and derelict for decade as it faces race against time to be ready for Euro 2028

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      EURO 2028 will be spread across ten stadiums in the UK and Ireland.But one of them is currently facing a race to be ready in time for the tournament as it lies overgrown and derelict.
      Casement Park has been left empty for 10 yearsCredit: Pacemaker
      The Gaelic football stadium is overgrown and derelictCredit: Pacemaker
      The ground is set to host games during EURO 2028Credit: Pacemaker
      It looks a long way from being ready for the tournamentCredit: Pacemaker
      Casement Park – which is situated in west Belfast – has been empty since 2013.
      The Gaelic football ground is looking worse for wear with overgrown weeds and neglected facilities.
      But plans are in place for to turn it into a 34,500 seat stadium in time for the Euros in 2028.
      Preparation work is set to begin next week that will see site clearance and the removal of the old terracing.
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      The redevelopment of the arena will have to commence before the summer and be completed by mid-2027 in order to meet a Uefa deadline ahead of the highly anticipated tournament.
      And Euro 2028 organisers have been forced to explore other options amid fears Casement Park may not be ready in time.
      The redevelopment will see the stadium have an incredible face-lift that would make it a permanent home for Gaelic football, but would have special dispensation to be used for Euro 2028.
      In March 2023 the GAA announced that, if redeveloped as proposed, it would give special permission under Rule 42 for Casement Park to be included in the tournament.
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      The design was put forward by Populous, the architectural firm behind the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Wembley and the proposed work to Old Trafford.
      However the spectacular plans haven’t been met with overwhelming support with some local residents labelling the new stadium as a “disaster”.
      Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants Government to help pay for £2BILLION Wembley of the North Man Utd stadium
      Casement Park, which was named after Irish nationalist and diplomat Roger Casement, is one of two grounds in the UK and Ireland’s bid that are currently unbuilt.
      The other is Everton’s Bramley-Moore Dock, which is due to be completed by 2024.
      Casement Park is named after Irish nationalist and diplomat Roger CasementCredit: Pacemaker
      The redevelopment of the stadium would make a huge change to the local areaCredit: Pacemaker
      Plans show how different it would lookCredit: Pacemaker
      The proposed redevelopment would see the arena seat 34,500 fansCredit: Pacemaker More

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      England face nightmare SIX-HOUR coach trip for crunch Euro 2024 clash after new rule bans them from catching flight

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      ENGLAND’S stars are facing a potential SIX-HOUR round coach trip for the European Championship group clash with Denmark.And the gruelling journey is all down to Uefa’s sustainability rules.
      Gareth Southgate’s England are doing their part to help Uefa make Euro 2024 greenCredit: PA
      The Three Lions face a potential six-hour round trip to their second group gameCredit: Getty
      European football’s governing body are spending £25m on several sustainability measures after vowing to make the tournament in Germany the greenest ever.
      One of those measures is asking qualified nations to avoid travelling to matches via air wherever possible.
      The Daily Mail have stated that Uefa’s guidance is believed to have stated “that it is reasonable to expect sides to make journeys of around three hours by road or rail in order to cut emissions”.
      However, it was also reported that this has not been mandated.
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      Now the same publication is claiming that after talks with England boss Gareth Southgate, the Football Association have decided that they will follow Uefa’s directive.
      The Three Lions’ second game in Group C is in Frankfurt, which is 180 miles from their Golfrestort Weimarer Land training camp near Leipzig, against Denmark.
      England’s two other group games, against Serbia and Slovenia, will be staged in Gelsenkirchen and Cologne, which are both over four hours away from their base.
      Therefore, coach travel “has been deemed impractical” for those journeys but is being planned for the Denmark showdown.
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      The FA declined to comment.
      Such a long trip by road has become somewhat of a rare occurrence, much to the dismay of environmental campaigners.
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      Players have become more used to travelling to games in flights in just a matter of minutes, with Arsenal flying to Norwich and Manchester United jetting to Leicester both being heavily criticised over recent years.
      The nearest airport to England’s base is 30 miles away at Erfurt-Weimar.
      Finalised travel plans must be submitted to Uefa by England and the other qualified nations by February 24.
      The Olympic Stadium in Berlin is the only other stadium within driving distance of England’s tournament HQ.
      But even that is further than Uefa’s three-hour guidelines. More

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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.
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      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.
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      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