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    Who is ITV Euro 2024 presenter Mark Pougatch?

    PRESENTER Mark Pougatch fronts ITV’s major coverage of both football as well as rugby and is expected to get involved in the Euro 2024 team of TV stars and pundits.The 56-year-old replaced Adrian Chiles as ITV’s chief football presenter six years ago to cover Champions League and England fixtures.Mark Pougatch’s broadcasting career began in 1995 for Radio 5 liveHe won the broadcaster of the year award in 2012Mark Pougatch, left, was part of the BBC’s 5 Live team with Nicky Campbell and Victoria Derbyshire for the 2002 World CupCredit: BBCHe hosted ITV’s coverage of Euro 2016, and has also been presenting the Six Nations rugby since 2016, and also the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.Before that though he spent TWENTY-TWO YEARS, where he cut his teeth presenting for BBC Radio 5 Live.He also joined BT Sport in the summer of 2016 to host the show BT Sport Score, to rival Sky Sports’ Gillette Soccer Saturday.In addition, Pougatch presented ITV’s live coverage of Euro 2020 with fellow presenters Seema Jaswal and Reshmin Chowdhury.Read More on FootballThey were jpoined by the likes of Ian Wright, Gary Neville, Eni Aluko, Ashley Cole and Patrick Vieira.As well as ITV’s live coverage, Pougatch hosted 12 Euro 2020 special episodes of the ITV Football Show podcast alongside Luton Town winger Andros Townsend.Euro 2024 gets underway on June 14 as hosts Germany take on Scotland.England’s campaign gets underway on June 16 when they face off against Serbia.Most read in Euro 2020The Three Lions have been drawn in a group that also includes Slovenia and Denmark. England will be looking to win their first ever trophy since the 1966 World Cup.Inside the ten stunning Euro 2024 stadiums including historic final venueGareth Southgate’s men are among the top favourites to win the competition.England play Scotland at Wembley on June 18The Krestovsky Stadium in St. Petersburg hosts the first game which ITV will show live this summer More

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    England rivals ‘face being THROWN OUT of Euro 2024 as Uefa and Fifa set deadline’

    SPAIN could be THROWN OUT of Euro 2024 for government interference in the Spanish FA, according to reports.Spanish clubs including Real Madrid and Barcelona could also be axed from next season’s Champions League, while the country’s hosting of the 2030 World Cup may also be in jeopardy.Spain could be banned from the Euros this summerCredit: APJose Manuel Rodríguez-Uribes, president of Spain’s Supreme Sports Council, sent a letter to Uefa and Fifa explaining why government involvement was required as the Spanish FA battles allegations of corruption.The latest scandal comes just months after former Uefa vice-president Luis Rubiales resigned as Spanish FA chief after he kissed Jenni Hermoso following the country’s Women’s World Cup final victory over England.But AS understand Uefa and Fifa have not responded well to Rodriguez-Uribes’ letter, believing a “line has been crossed” as a result of government interference.A joint letter sent by the two governing bodies to Rodriguez-Uribes last week, signed by general secretaries Mattias Grafstrom and Theodore Theodoridis, questioned why the interference had taken place.READ MORE ON EURO 2024The letter also insisted neither organisation would accept any form of government meddling.The Supreme Sports Council now have until Friday to give answers to the following questions:
    On what legal and/or factual basis was the Commission appointed?
    Who makes up the Commission and who appointed its members?
    What is the Commission’s exact mandate?
    What power does the Commission have?
    What relationship does the Commission have with the statutory decision-making bodies in the RFEF?
    By Friday, it is understood the council’s response will lead to one of two outcomes.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIf deemed a satisfactory response, Uefa and Fifa will likely refrain from taking action against the Spanish FA.But if it is decided that the Spanish FA has in effect been taken over by the government then they would likely be immediately suspended by both Uefa and Fifa.Huge changes being made to English football schedule next seasonThis would mean being kicked out of this summer’s Euros in Germany, while Spanish clubs would be unable to compete in the Champions League, Europa League, Europa Conference League and Club World Cup next season.They would also be ruled out of hosting the 2030 World Cup – which they are due to stage alongside Portugal and Morocco – with three games also in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.Their hosting of the tournament has not yet been ratified and Fifa bosses are confident Portugal and Morocco are capable of putting the tournament on without Spain.Fifa and Uefa have precedent for responding to political controversies having banned Russian clubs from European competition after the invasion of Ukraine.Russia also missed out on the opportunity to host Euro 2028.In recent years, the football associations of Zimbabwe, India, Sri Lanka, Kenya and Pakistan have also been temporarily suspended due to outside interference.Meanwhile, England are risking their own Euro ban after it was revealed last week MPs are demanding the decision to get rid of FA Cup replays be reversed. More

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    Managerless Ireland delaying decision on new boss as they wait to hear back from France and Bundesliga legend

    REPUBLIC OF IRELAND chiefs are delaying the appointment of a new boss until they hear an answer from Georgia gaffer Willy Sagnol.John O’Shea will continue as caretaker chief for the summer fixtures against Hungary and Portugal.Ireland want to appoint Georgia boss Willy Sagnol as their new managerCredit: Kenny RamsayJohn O’Shea is the interim gaffer following Stephen Kenny’s departureCredit: EPABut the Irish may pounce for Sagnol after he has led Georgia at this summer’s Euros.O’Shea took over on a temporary basis in February following Stephen Kenny’s departure at the end of his contract in 2023. The former Manchester United defender oversaw the friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland last month.The Boys in Green drew 0-0 against the Red Devils with Evan Ferguson missing a penalty.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut they suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Switzerland as Xherdan Shaqiri grabbed the only goal with a sweet free-kick.Ireland failed to book their spot at Euro 2024 after finishing fourth in Group B of qualifying.France topped the group ahead of the Netherlands – who both secured automatic spots.Greece went into the play-offs as the Irish lost six of their eight matches – only beating Gibraltar twice. Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSagnol, 47, spent nine years at the heart of Bayern Munich’s defence.He also racked up 58 senior international caps for France.Ireland captain Katie McCabe winds up France fans with cheeky free-kick in Euro 2025 qualifierHis coaching career has included various roles within the French FA – featuring a spell as Under-21s head coach – as well as stints at Bordeaux and Bayern Munich.In February 2021, he accepted the role as Georgian national team boss.Three years later, a dramatic penalty shootout play-off win over Greece secured Georgia’s spot at the Euros in Germany. It is their first major tournament since the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1992 and sees the Crusaders go up against Turkey, Czech Republic and Portugal in Group F. More

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    England stars will be served by Robbie the grumpy German ROBOT waiter at their luxury Euro 2024 team hotel

    ENGLAND will be served by a grumpy German ROBOT at their luxury Euro 2024 team hotel.The Three Lions are gearing up for this summer’s tournament as they bid to finally bring football home.England will be served by a grumpy German robot waiter at their Euro 2024 baseCredit: Darren FletcherRobbie collects plates from guests and can speak in GermanCredit: Darren FletcherEngland are staying at a luxury golf resort and spaCredit: Darren FletcherGareth Southgate’s men will do battle with Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia in their three group stage matches.Between games, they will be recharging their batteries at the luxurious Weirmarer Land Golf Resort and Spa in Blankenhain, eastern Germany.SunSport sent our very own mascot, Harry Mane, down to soak up the atmosphere last month.And he was shocked by one member of the hotel’s waiting staff.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDalek-style robot Robbie hard at work during England’s stay, collecting dishes in one of the resort’s six restaurants.Ronnie even speaks, with plenty of phrases in the bank, including “excuse me”.But captain Harry Kane, who moved to Bayern Munich last summer, would be advised not to try to practise his German with Robbie – or risk being told off!That’s because another of Robbie’s go-to phrases is “please let me get on with my work”.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe android will certainly be rushed off his feet, with the FA paying £800,000 for exclusive use of the 94-room hotel and its facilities.The area impressed Southgate when he visited, with Wags and families expected to visit if England progress towards the final in Berlin.Tom Barclay picks his England team for Euro 2024The Weirmarer Land Golf Resort and Spa is in Blankenhain, eastern GermanyCredit: Darren FletcherThe FA paid £800,000 to rent the entire propertyCredit: Darren FletcherGermany’s national team are staying there prior to the tournamentCredit: Darren FletcherEngland’s stars will have the run of the placeCredit: Darren FletcherGareth Southgate was impressed by the facilitiesCredit: Darren FletcherThe Three Lions aren’t the only nation to fall in love with the resort, as the German national team will also be staying there.However, Julian Nagelsmann’s side will only use it for two weeks prior to the start of the tournament.They will then switch to a different base, allowing England to move in and take over.The FA are even bringing a team of chefs and dieticians to give the Three Lions a great chance of victory.Owner of the hotel, Matthias Grafe, told SunSport last month:  “The German team wanted to be based at my hotel but they have been obliged to work with their adidas sponsors so we’re delighted to welcome England instead.“I have always said I’m only interested in having one team here — the team that wins the Euros — and I believe that team will be England.”SunSport’s Robot XIManager: Gareth South-data
    GK: Dr Robotnik Pope
    CB: Fikayo TerminatomoriCB: Johnny 5 StonesCB: Baymax Kilman
    RWB: Kyle Land WalkerCM: RoboKobbie MainooCM: Daleklan RiceCM: Megatron-ner GallagherLWB: Bender ChilwellFW: Ivan TinnyFW: James Maddis-Ultron More

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    Germany ban England fans from taking fruit to games – but will charge £4 for single sausage at Euros 2024

    ANY apple-loving England fans could be shocked to the core at Euro 2024 — the German hosts are banning fruit to boost sales of their sausages.Supporters trying to take any food into stadiums — including healthy half-time snacks — could be turned away or even barred from the entire tournament.England fans are banned from bringing fruit to games during the EurosCredit: RexBut the nation renowned for their love of Bratwurst and Frankfurters will be selling sausages for up to £3.77 each.England kick off their campaign against Serbia at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen on June 16 followed by games against Denmark in Frankfurt and Slovenia in Cologne.At the final at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on July 14, single sausages will cost £4.77.Security teams will be searching bags outside all ten tournament venues, while stewards and police will patrol inside.READ MORE ON EURO 2024Uefa’s ban covers “liquids — drinks, e-cigarette refills, etc — and food of any kind, including fruit, such as apples, bananas, oranges, etc.”Punishments will include “expulsion from the stadium with a report to the police or a stadium ban for the whole or part of Euro 2024”.Germans have also banned smoking and vapes from the grounds.Cannabis joints will also be forbidden in stadiums despite new German laws making it legal to puff in public.Most read in FootballFlares, fireworks and whistles are also on the banned list – as well as megaphones and vuvuzela horns.Nazi flags, plus material supporting sides in the conflict in Gaza will also be outlawed.Germany becomes the latest nation to legalise cannabis More

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    Footie ace Marcos Llorente’s wife Paddy Noarbe wows in barely there swimsuit ahead of Euro 2024

    MODEL Paddy Noarbe gets in a great cross in as she prepares to watch her footie star hubby at the Euros.The Spaniard, 27, posing in a halterneck swimsuit, is wed to Atletico Madrid’s Marcos Llorente, who’ll hope to play in this June’s tournament. Paddy Noarbe stunned as she posed in a halterneck swimsuitCredit: Capture Media AgencyPaddy is wed to Atletico Madrid’s Marcos LlorenteCredit: Capture Media AgencyThis week, she set a gold standard at the Laureus World Sport Awards.Llorente has insisted that his ‘caveman’ diet will stay with him until he dies.The Spanish midfielder was a part of the Real Madrid side that won the Champions League in 2018.Llorente, 29, lives off an unusual diet which is often nicknamed the the ‘caveman diet’ and the ‘stone age diet’.Read More on ShowbizIt consists of food that would have been eaten in the Paleolithic era, also known as the Old Stone Age.He has ruled out any food that he considers to be ultra-processed such as pasta, bread and even cereal.Instead, he indulges in food such as meat, fish, and vegetables, as well as “high-quality” cheeses.He said on Cadena SER programme El Larguero: “It would be eating what was eaten in the Paleolithic.Most read in Football”You would have to eliminate all ultra-processed foods. Don’t even look at them. And also cereals. “Everything that is pasta, bread, wheat, rice… also dairy. Only high-quality cheeses.”I eat everything. Meat, like the steak that I love. Fish, eggs, vegetables. And carbohydrates like potatoes, sweet potatoes and cassava.”Marcos Llorente breaks into a sweat as he undergoes intensive football workoutThis week, she wore this gold number at the Laureus World Sport AwardsCredit: SplashPaddy showed off her figure in this brown bikini by the poolCredit: Instagram @paddy.8Paddy striked a pose in this black bikiniCredit: Instagram More

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    Stuart Attwell chosen for Euro 2024 VAR duty as Nottingham Forest suffer further humiliation after bizarre statement

    STUART ATTWELL has been chosen for VAR duty at Euro 2024 this summer.The referee is currently under scrutiny following Nottingham Forest’s defeat at Everton on Sunday.Stuart Attwell has been selected for VAR duty at this summer’s EurosCredit: PAAshley Young was at the centre of all three penalty decisionsCredit: GettyHe brought down Callum Hudson-Odoi in the box in one incidentCredit: ReutersThe official was working on VAR and the relegation club claimed that they were denied three clear penalties.One was for a possible handball on Ashley Young, while the other two incidents also involved the former Manchester United star.In the first half, he clipped Giovanni Reyna in the box, and in the second half, he hauled down Callum Hudson-Odoi.As a response, Nottingham Forest released a statement slamming his appointment for the match as a “Luton fan”.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThey have since demanded that the conversations between referee Antony Taylor and Attwell be made public.While the FA have announced that they want urgent explanations from manager Nuno Espirito Santo, Neco Williams and ex-Prem whistler Mark Clattenburg.Despite the ongoing feud, Attwell will be in Germany this summer for the Euros.He and fellow Brit David Coote have both been selected for VAR duty for the tournament.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAttwell and Coote could be set for big paydays after the competitions, with a reported £2,600 being paid per match.Referee at Goodison Park Taylor and Michael Oliver will also be heading to mainland Europe as two of the 18 selected referees.Gary Neville tells Mark Clattenburg to RESIGN from Nottingham Forest role after club’s ’embarrassing’ VAR statementForest have faced lots of criticism for the statements following the controversial decisions.Alan Shearer, Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville have all gone against the club and claimed it to be “embarrassing”.Neville went as far as to say that Clattenburg should resign from his role at Forest.He also claimed that Forest’s statement was like a “mafia-gang” with the club now considering legal action against the pundit.What have Nottingham Forest said?
    After the final whistle against Everton, Nottingham Forest’s official Twitter account tweeted: “Three extremely poor decisions – three penalties not given – which we simply cannot accept.
    “We warned the PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times.
    “NFFC will now consider its options.”
    On Monday the club revealed they have requested the PGMOL release the audio recordings between officials during the match.
    A statement read: “Nottingham Forest has today submitted a formal request to the PGMOL to release into the public domain the audio recordings between officials during yesterday’s match against Everton at Goodison Park.
    “The club has requested this be shared for three key match incidents – Ashley Young’s challenge on Giovanni Reyna (24th minute), Ashley Young’s handball (44th minute) and Ashley Young’s challenge on Callum Hudson-Odoi (56th minute).
    “We firmly advocate for the broader football community and supporters to have access to the audio and transcript for full transparency, ensuring the integrity of our sport is upheld.” More

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    England set for Euro 2024 boost with Southgate expected to have rule change request granted despite rivals’ objections

    GARETH Southgate is set to be able to pick a 26-man squad for Euro 2024.But Uefa chiefs remain split on changing tournament rules at virtually the last minute.Gareth Southgate has been handed a major boost ahead of the EurosCredit: GettyAnd now a final decision will be made by the ruling executive committee in the next few days.Euro chiefs had planned on reverting to 23 man parties for the tournament which kicks off in Munich in June.But pressure from a number of national team coaches saw the matter put back on the agenda earlier this month.And now Uefa’s national competitions committee has “narrowly” backed the proposal to revert to the extended squads that were allowed at both the delayed Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe extended squads were introduced as a response to the Covid pandemic, with national coaches fearful that an outbreak of the virus could leave them short of numbers for matches.Uefa had decided to return the traditional smaller squads for this summer’s event.But a number of national coaches had urged a rethink, citing the sheer number of injuries sustained by players this season.Opposition to the move has been by Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann and France’s Didier Deschamps.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSDespite that, Uefa chiefs agreed a u-turn on the initial ruling although the lack of unanimity means it is not certain to be adopted by the executive committee – who will make the final call in video conference in the next few days.If they agree, it means Southgate and the other Euro 2024 coaches will have more options in their squad selection. England football fans put up in zombie townsWhile Southgate has long been a proponent of smaller squads, he was without skipper Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and other players for last month’s friendlies with Brazil and Belgium.The England boss was not leading the call for larger squads but is understood to feel that it was not a problem if he was allowed to select 26 instead of 23.Southgate will want the confirmation that all 15 players not selected in his starting side will be able to sit on the bench, as happened in Qatar.During Euro 2020, by contrast, three players had to be omitted from the match-day squad.Southgate has been planning to select a larger provisional squad next month before whittling down to 23 on the June 7 deadline.But the change in regulations, if confirmed, may see the England boss instead name a 26 with some standby players, giving everybody more certainty.If the extension is approved , it is likely that the larger squads will now become the norm for Uefa national competitions – although Fifa may revert to 23 for the 2026 World Cup. More