Euro 2024

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      Uefa break their own protocol as Euro 2032 hosts are confirmed as Italy and Turkey

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      ITALY and Turkey will co-host Euro 2032 – despite the joint bid BREACHING Uefa’s own regulations.The European football governing body’s rule states that joint hosts must be neighbouring countries.
      UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin announced the news todayCredit: Reuters
      Juventus’ Allianz Stadium could host matchesCredit: Getty
      The Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul is set to be used again after hosting last season’s Champions League finalCredit: Getty
      Yet despite the nearest points of Italy and Turkey being around 600 miles apart – with Greece between them – the 2032 tournament will be split equally with five stadiums in each country.
      Astonishingly, the Turks are in a better place in terms of infrastructure than Italy.
      They are likely to use as many as four stadiums in Istanbul plus one in the capital Ankara.
      Meanwhile, Italy have received positive responses from Uefa on just three grounds.
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      Their FA boss Gabriele Gravina said: “The challenges we face are enormous and we’ve never had the courage to face them before.
      “Euro 2032 will be a great stimulus, full of opportunities.”
      Turkish counterpart Mehmet Buyukeksi added: “This is a great day for Turkish football, one that many of us having been dreaming about for years.”
      Before the action in nine years time, the 2024 Euros will be held in Germany at the end of this season.
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      It will be followed by the 2028 tournament, which Uefa confirmed will be hosted in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
      Turkey were competing with the British Isles bid but with them on course to lose they withdrew and turned there attention to partnering Italy for 2032. More

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      Terrified Newcastle fans say ‘no, no, no’ after key man is forced to pull out of international duty with injury

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      NEWCASTLE fans are stressing out on Alexander Isak’s latest injury setback, which forced him out of Sweden’s squad.The Swedish national team is scheduled to face Moldova in a friendly match on Thursday before Monday’s Euro 2024 qualifier in Belgium.
      Newcastle star Alexander Isak had to withdraw from international duty with SwedenCredit: Rex
      Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is dealing with an injury crisisCredit: Getty
      And manager Janne Andersson will be without his star striker as Isak had to withdraw from international duty due to an injury he suffered on Sunday during the Magpies’ 2-2 draw at West Ham.
      The 24-year-old came off in the 86th minute and was replaced by Callum Wilson.
      Isak then jetted off for international duty but Sweden confirmed he wasn’t cleared to compete after undergoing tests with the team’s medical team.
      The Swedish Football Association tweeted: “Alexander Isak leaves the men’s national team’s European Championship qualifying squad.
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      “Striker came to the gathering with an injury from Sunday’s league match.
      “After an examination by the national team’s medical team, it is now clear that Alexander Isak is not eligible to play in the next week.”
      Newcastle fans have been left worried about Isak’s fitness amid an ongoing injury crisis within Eddie Howe’s team.
      The Toon have also lost Joe Willock, Joelinton, Harvey Barnes and Sven Botman this season.
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      And Isak has quite the injury history as he was sidelined for four months shortly after moving to St James’ Park last season as he injured his thigh.
      One fan tweeted: “No no no. Get him home and rested!!!!”
      Another commented: “Injury’s killing the beautiful game.”
      A third posted: “Hopefully this is just precautionary. Need to use these next two weeks to clear injuries and regain our squad depth again.”
      This fan said: “Hopefully just a two week thing and he’s good to go for us when we resume playing!”
      And that one wrote: “Hope it is not a serious injury. We need Isak for our grueling schedule.” More

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      Chelsea hero Poyet explains controversial decision to omit two stars from Greece squad including one Pep Guardiola loves

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      GREECE manager Gus Poyet has opened up on his decision of leaving top Greek stars Kostas Fortounis and Tasos Douvikas out of his recent squads.Ethniki have dramatically improved under Poyet, who led them to Nations League success as they got promoted to League B and have a certain play-off ticket for the Euros waiting just in case.
      Greece manager Gus Poyet left two top stars out of his last two squad selectionsCredit: Sportsfile
      And now the Uruguayan tactician is looking to get the 2004 European champions to Germany but faces severe competition from France and the Netherlands, who are in the same qualifying group along with Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar.
      The Chelsea legend’s two latest squads left several fans confused – considering the daunting task at hand – as he left out some top talent, like Olympiacos captain Fortounis and Celta star Douvikas.
      The 55-year-old tactician explained in May before the qualifiers against Ireland and France that he omitted Fortounis because he didn’t fit in to his tactical plans for those games.
      The attacking midfielder is considered by many as the best Greek player with 10 assists and four goals in 28 matches last season as well as three goals and eight assists in 12 appearances so far this term.
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      The 30-year-old was also publicly praised by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who called him a “high-quality player” three years ago when his team faced Olympiacos in the Champions League.
      Fortounis went on to announce his international retirement last month just before Poyet revealed his squad for the games against the Netherlands and Gibraltar.
      Douvikas is still not included in the ex-Brighton boss’ plans as he was left out of the team that will face Ireland and Holland on Friday and Monday respectively.
      The striker enjoyed a stunning season with Utrecht as he finished as the Eredivisie’s top goalscorer with 20 goals in 34 matches and he’s already registered two goals in five LaLiga games with Celta this term.
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      The Tottenham great explained that he mainly plays with one centre-forward and thus avoids calling up too many frontmen.
      Poyet told SunSport: “I have spoken about my decisions in Greece before. When you look at the negativity around Chelsea and Manchester United in England, the same thing happens in Greece.
      “In the last two squad selections the first question has always been about the players who aren’t selected, you are never asked about the players who have been selected, but that’s just the way football works.
      “There are different reasons for leaving players out but now Kostas Fortounis has retired from the national team and he was great with me because he called me to let me know his reasons – it was a personal decision and I always support the decisions of the players. I don’t like to push players one way or the other with my opinion.
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      Celta star Tasos Douvikas was the Eredivisie’s top scorer last seasonCredit: Rex
      Kostas Fortounis is considered by many as the best Greek player and was praised by Pep GuardiolaCredit: Getty
      “Leaving out Tasos Douvikas is a different situation. I am the type of national team coach who doesn’t just pick all the players who are performing well at that time to shake up the team.
      ” At the moment we have five strikers who are scoring in their own leagues and I need to pick the ones that I need for two games. I don’t need five strikers when I mainly play with one up front.
      “I don’t pick players to make people happy and avoid questions about why I didn’t pick certain players. In the end I will be judged by my achievements and my main objective which is qualifying for the Euros.
      “We have a list of players playing abroad and most of them are there, and then I will make a decision knowing which ones are fully fit for the two games we need them for. It is nothing more than needing a certain player for a certain game.
      “Sometimes you will play deeper and need more pace, other games you will be in the opponent’s half and need more of a presence in the box.
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      “In the end, I won’t call players up just to make people happy, I call players up if I am convinced that they are the players best suited to help me win football matches.”
      Gus Poyet was speaking to The Sun on behalf of bitcoincasinos.com More

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      Wembley Stadium to undergo major £4.3million revamp to stamp out yob chaos at Euro 2028

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      WEMBLEY Stadium will be turned into a fortress with a £4.3million security revamp for the Euro 2028 final.It comes after the venue vowed to avoid a repeat of the Euro 2020 final chaos when 2,000 yobs broke in.
      Wembley is getting a £4m upgrade to help prevent the chaos of the Euro 2020 finalCredit: AP
      Ticketless thugs ruined the Wembley showcase by storming through turnstiles and swarming securityCredit: Getty
      Ticketless thugs ruined the Wembley showcase by storming through turnstiles and overwhelming security staff.
      But rings of steel complete with 12ft anti-climb fences and 50 high-resolution cameras will keep invaders out in 2028.
      Security improvements at the 90,000-seat stadium were demanded before England last week secured sole bidding status for the finals as part of the joint campaign to host the event with Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
      UEFA are expected to rubber stamp the bid tomorrow, with Wembley almost certainly the venue for the final.
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      Barriers manned by better-trained security staff will include a new gated portal with enclosed roller shutters to fortify the Club Wembley entrance.
      And a new external entrance lobby with reinforced interlocking doors will stop unauthorised entry from the Olympic Steps.
      Bigger, stronger gates will be fitted to VIP, staff and media entrances.
      And extra perimeter fences at entrances will be built.
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      The Covid-delayed 2020 final was played at Wembley on July 11, 2021. England lost to Italy.
      A Wembley spokesman said: “We’ve made significant investments to enhance security.”
      A Wembley Stadium spokesman said: ‘We’ve made significant investments to enhance security’Credit: Getty More

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      Bukayo Saka named in England squad for Australia and Italy clashes despite injury but Man Utd’s Mason Mount misses OUT

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      JARROD BOWEN and Ollie Watkins have been recalled to the England squad by Gareth Southgate.And Bukayo Saka has also been included despite injury concerns.
      Jarrod Bowen has scored five goals in seven Prem games this seasonCredit: Getty
      Watkins returns to the England squad for the first time since March 2022Credit: Getty
      Bukayo Saka makes the cut despite injury fearsCredit: Getty
      England’s Euro 2024 qualifying group
      Bowen and Watkins have both enjoyed goalscoring starts to the season with the latter netting a hat-trick against Brighton on Saturday.
      Both have done enough to impress Southgate and are part of the squad to face Australia on Friday week and Italy the following Tuesday – but Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling miss out.
      Watkins returns to the squad for the first time since March 2022, while Bowen could win his fifth England cap, having last featured in the 4-0 defeat to Hungary in June 2022.
      England have been boosted by the inclusion of Saka, who was an injury doubt after being forced off during Arsenal’s defeat to Lens on Tuesday.
      But Mount is absent once again, despite returning to action for Manchester United after overcoming a hamstring problem.
      However Southgate still faces a dilemma in defence with United defender Luke Shaw still injured.
      Kieran Trippier could fill in at left-back after performing well in that position against Scotland last time out.
      But his defensive options have been bolstered by the return of Trent Alexander-Arnold – even though he is named among the midfielders – who has overcome a hamstring problem.
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      Manchester City star John Stones also returns to the squad. The centre-back is yet to play this season but will be hoping for minutes in the friendly against Australia.
      Harry Maguire also makes the squad once more despite his limited appearances for the Red Devils.
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      Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze will also miss the next few weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury against United last Saturday.
      The returning Jack Grealish means the Three Lions boss still has plenty of options in attack, despite Callum Wilson’s injury.
      England face a Wembley double-header starting with the visit of Australia.
      Then there is a replay of the Euro 2020 final as Italy return to the national stadium for a Euro 2024 qualifier.
      Southgate has revealed Saka will be assessed ahead of the game against Australia, with the winger a doubt for Arsenal’s clash with Manchester City on Sunday.
      The England boss said of Saka and Wilson’s injuries: “He is still being assessed and he obviously have a big game this weekend and then there is another seven days before we play Australia and ten days before we play Italy.
      “Callum Wilson is carrying an injury so we are not sure if he will be fit.
      “Ollie has started the season well and has hit a bit of scoring form in the last couple of weeks although you have to be careful with that in terms of bias on recent games. But he is in good form and is coming in on a high.”
      Southgate was also asked about the absence of Raheem Sterling, who has now missed the last two squads.
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      He said of the Chelsea winger: “We spoke before the last squad. We have been happy with the wide players in the performances in the last four games and the two in March.
      “The team are playing really well and there is stability there although we have added Jarrod Bowen who has added five goals in seven games.”
      England squad to face Australia and Italy
      Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale
      Defenders: Levi Colwill, Lewis Dunk, Marc Guehi, Harry Maguire, John Stones, Fikayo Tomori, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker
      Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice
      Forwards: Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, James Maddison, Eddie Nketiah, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Ollie Watkins More

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      Wrexham’s Paul Mullin in shock Wales standby call for Euro 2024 qualifier against Croatia

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      PAUL MULLIN is on stand-by for Wales’ Euro 2024 qualifier with Croatia.The Wrexham striker, 28, has scored 78 goals in 97 games for the League Two outfit since joining in 2021.
      Wales boss Robert Page has a few striker issues which could open the door for Paul MullinCredit: EPA
      Mullin has been Wrexham’s talisman to return to the EFL under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenneyCredit: Getty
      But Wales are without Brennan Johnson, who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
      And there are concerns over the fitness of Millwall’s Tom Bradshaw, who also has a hamstring issue so Mullin could be in the mix for a debut call-up for the October 15 clash in Cardiff.

      Wales boss Robert Page, whose side also faces Gibraltar in a friendly next Wednesday, said: “Paul is on standby for the squad.
      “I watched Paul against Sheffield United last year, and Jack Lester – my coach, who was at Sheffield United at the time – sang his praises.
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      “We’ve had a few conversations about Paul, so the next step is he’s now on standby and he’s one step away.
      “We monitor the Welsh players, and Paul is certainly one we’ve taken note of – and he deserves that. This is the next step of his development.”
      Mullin was born in Liverpool but qualifies for Wales through his grandmother.
      Johnson was due to be in the squad until Page received a late call on Tuesday night as the forward is set to miss Tottenham’s Premier League clash at Luton on Saturday.
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      Page added: “It’s not a serious one. But unfortunately the timing dictates this and so if he is not going to be right for Spurs then it’s not fair for us to pick him and try to play him.”
      Wales are without captain Aaron Ramsey due to a knee injury with Spurs defender Ben Davies set to lead the Dragons.
      Uncapped duo Charlie Savage, 20, and son of former Wales and Leicester midfielder Robbie and Owen Beck, 21, earn their first senior call-ups.
      Meanwhile, Wales fans have branded chief executive Noel Mooney a ‘p*** taker’ for trying to hike ticket prices for Euro 2024 qualifiers.
      The hard-up Dragons are looking to maximise every financial resource available to them.
      Football Association of Wales chief Mooney proposed a ticket price increase midway through the qualifying campaign.
      But Welsh fans represented at a Football Supporters’ Association meeting strongly opposed the idea due to the cost-of-living crisis plus a poor run of two wins in their 14 matches.
      Mooney backed down for now but the Irishman wants a price review ahead of a possible Euro 2024 play-off next March.
      The minutes from the meeting read: “A few people in the meeting expressed their disappointment and concern that any increase in the near future is even being considered, due to the current financial crisis.”
      Wales fan John McAllister tweeted: “Mooney and the FAW are taking the p*** here. Glad the FSA shut them down on it.
      “Raising prices mid tournament would’ve been an absolutely p*** take of fans who for the most part are struggling financially already.”
      Wales attracted a sparse crowd of just 13,668 – their lowest home attendance, Covid aside – in four years against South Korea last month with fans criticising the prices of £25 plus a £3 booking fee.
      Only yesterday did the Dragons put the sell-out signs on Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground for the October 11 friendly against Gibraltar.
      While the FAW have sold 26,000 tickets for the Euro 2024 home qualifier against Croatia four days later and expect a capacity crowd of 33,000 at the Cardiff City Stadium.
      Page’s Wales have been cutting costs in recent months and SunSport revealed players sharing hotel rooms and purse strings tightened on opposition analysis. 
      Wales squad
      Goalkeepers: Hennessey, Ward, A Davies
      Defenders: B Davies, Rodon, Lockyer, Mepham, Poole, Cabango, Williams, Beck, Roberts
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      Midfielders: Burns, Ampadu, Savage, J James, Levitt, Sheehan, D James, Broadhead, Wilson
      Forwards: Brooks, Cullen, Harris, Moore, Bradshaw. More

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      Inside the abandoned stadium covered in weeds which is set to host Euro 2028 games after UK and Ireland win bid

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      EURO 2028 will be hosted by a now derelict stadium after the UK and Ireland won the bid to host the tournament.Turkey have withdrawn from the bidding process – leaving the UK and Ireland as the sole candidate, with the hosting choice to be formally determined at a meeting of Uefa’s ruling executive committee on Monday and then publicly confirmed in Nyon the next day.
      Casement Park is currently derelictCredit: Pacemaker
      There are plans to turn it into a 34,500 seater stadium to host games at Euro 2028Credit: Pacemaker Press
      Ten stadiums will host Euro 2028
      Irish FA Chief Executive Patrick Nelson insists construction will begin on Casement Park now that the UK and Ireland have been successful in their bid.
      When complete the arena will be able to hold 34,500 fans.
      Windsor Park, where Northern Ireland currently play home games, does not meet minimum capacity requirements for the Euros.
      So the unbuilt Casement Park is part of the UK and Ireland’s joint bid.

      It has been unused since 2013, but was once Northern Ireland’s top Gaelic football ground.
      According to the BBC, redevelopment of the site has been met with a legal challenge from local residents.
      It’s reported there were objections to its size and the impact it will have on the local area.
      However, the £77.5million development was given the go-ahead last summer after a West Belfast residents’ group lost its legal challenge.
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      The redevelopment of Casement Park has been met with a legal challengeCredit: Sportsfile
      Plans to redevelop the stadium were given the green light last summerCredit: Sportsfile
      And the ground has been designed by the architects responsible for Tottenham’s incredible £1billion stadium.
      Casement Park 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.
      That is the same year work on all potential Euro 2028 host stadiums must have started by.
      The UK and Ireland’s bid to host the iconic tournament is being rivalled by Turkey.
      If successful, the likes of Wembley, St. James’ Park, Villa Park, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the Etihad will be among ten grounds to stage games during the competition. More

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      I’m quietly confident UK and Ireland will host Euro 2028, Rishi Sunak says

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      RISHI SUNAK is “quietly confident” UK and Ireland will host the 2028 Euros – saying its time to recreate the joy of 1996.The PM shrugged off concerns over the 2021 Euros final that saw scenes of fan carnage at Wembley, insisting: “We do this stuff better than anybody.”
      Rishi Sunak is ‘confident’ the UK will host Euro 2028Credit: Dan Charity
      Rishi said England fans ‘do it better than anybody’Credit: The Sun
      Sunak told The Sun he has made a ‘personal effort’ to bring the Euros to WembleyCredit: Alamy
      The joint bid is set to be formally given the green light in the coming weeks after Turkey and Italy dropped out of the running in July.
      Sunak said: “I’ve put in a lot of my personal effort and making calls and talking to all the right people.

      “You know, I’m quietly confident but you never know until it’s announced.”
      He added: “I’d love us to host this thing. And that’s why I put a lot of my personal time into trying to get over the line.
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      “One of the my favourite childhood experiences was Euro96. Like that is like a defining experience.”
      Sixteen at the time when the England last hosted the full tournament, he added: “Somewhere I’ve still got a t shirt probably from that.”
      “These moments can become very special in our history, and I speak as a massive football fan.
      “So if we can pull this thing off, it will be brilliant for the country. I put a lot of effort into it. But let’s see how we get on. We’ll find out soon.”
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      It comes as the Prime Minister tells The Sun tonight: “I’m slamming the brakes on the war on motorists – it’s as simple as that.” More