Euros

EVERYONE knows England play in a white home kit.But people are only just beginning to realise why that is the case.
England have worn white shirts for as long as anyone can rememberCredit: Getty
And in actual fact, it is all down to bitter rivals Scotland.
That’s right – England might not be synonymous with wearing white if it was not for the Scots north of the border.
The Three Lions played Scotland all the way back in 1872 in the very first international football match.
And with the Tartan Terriers wearing a full navy kit – the team of 11 Queen’s Park players actually wore their club kit – England had to go for something else to ensure the two teams could be distinguished.
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It is suggested by the Daily Star that the FA supplied the white kits – which may have been spare cricket tops.
Either way, there was no kit clash with Scotland for the 0-0 draw at Hamilton Crescent Cricket Ground.
However, even then England did not immediately sick with white and sometimes players simply had the England badge sewn on to their club kits.
This then transformed to white collared shirts – bought by Mr Gann and Mr Root – with players sticking with their club shorts and socks.
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But in the late 1800s, the press pushed for consistency and at long last England stuck with white shirts, navy shorts and white socks – and it remains that way today.
The navy shorts could have been chosen to differentiate from Germany’s white outfit.
Ironically, that clash forced England to wear their red away kit for the victorious 1966 World Cup final.
There have been some variations in recent years – for example, the white shorts of 2009 and the red shorts of 2012.
England fans will get to see their team in action against Scotland in their iconic white kit at Hampden Park in September.
The match is to mark the 150th anniversary of that first meeting in 1872 as part of the Scottish FA’s year-long celebrations.
Scotland will wear a special retro shirt complete with the old-fashioned Lion Rampant.
And the Tartan Army wasted no time snapping up the “work of art” jersey as they sold out rapidly – despite a staggering £90 price tag.
England, pictured in 1961, have worn white shirts ever since their first match 151 years agoCredit: Getty
The Three Lions won the World Cup wearing their red away kitCredit: Getty
England took on Scotland at Euro 2020 with both teams in their traditional coloursCredit: Getty More

SWEDEN’S manager stormed out of a live TV interview after accusing a former Manchester United star of “talking c**p”.Janne Andersson, 60, spoke to the Viaplay pundits after Sweden thrashed Azerbaijan 5-0 in Stockholm in Euro 2024 qualifying on Monday.
Janne Andersson, right, and Bojan Djordjic got into a bitter rowCredit: Viaplay
The gaffer stormed out of the live TV interviewCredit: Viaplay
🇸🇪 Incredible scenes after Sweden’s 5-0 win over Azerbaijan!Manager Janne Andersson loses it on live TV and has a heated clash with Bojan Djordjic after the former Man United man simply questioned Jesper Karlsson’s game time!It got personal…pic.twitter.com/XUmFr0LkLF— Seb Sternik (@seb_sternik) March 27, 2023

However, what should have been a routine post-match discussion exploded into a blazing row on air.
And it culminated in the gaffer angrily gesticulating at the panel, questioning their loyalty to Sweden and then slamming his microphone down on the table and walking off.
Andersson took exception to former Red Devils man Bojan Djordjic quizzing him on the “too little” game time given to Jesper Karlsson.
The AZ Alkmaar man got just eight minutes in total against Azerbaijan and Belgium during this international break – although still chipped in with a goal last night before United’s Anthony Elanga completed the rout.
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Andersson, who took charge of Sweden in 2016, fired back: “We can discuss the choice of players all damn night, excuse me.
“Who shouldn’t play? I get to pick the eleven, who won’t play?
“Excuse me, but you can do exactly what you want if you are the national team coach.”
Andersson insisted playing Karlsson would mean Newcastle’s Alexander Isak or Coventry’s Viktor Gyokeres would need to drop out.
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He accused Djordjic of “whining” and appeared to question his heritage by asking him: “Who do you represent?”
Belgrade-born Djordjic – who played for Sweden at Under-21 level but did not earn a senior cap – clearly took offence and responded: “Sweden, of course, why wouldn’t I?

“What kind of thing is this then? Are you going to say something else?”
Andersson pointed furiously and waved his hand in disgust at Djordjic, adding: “It is so bad. You stand and talk c**p after a game when we win 5-0.”
Djordjic then unleashed a stinging response: “You’re talking too much right now, you are being too aggressive. Why?
“Who else would I represent? What other country? Serbia, did you mean it or not? Is that what you’re trying to say?
“I represent you as much as anyone else. I will not forget this answer, it’s bad.
“It’s pretty low for a national team coach to say what you just said. Who do you represent?”
Presenter Niklas Jihde tried to diffuse the situation by asking how Andersson was satisfied by the 5-0 win.
‘IT’S BULLS***’
But the manager said: “I am not satisfied with anything, it’s bulls***.
“If I come here and lose 3-0, then I would understand. Then I have to be defensive.
“If we’ve won 5-0, should I be defensive? There are four of you and you will confront me with questions. Damn, that’s bad.”
An irate Andersson then plonked the microphone down and headed out of shot to leave the pundits stunned – including ex-Arsenal winger Freddie Ljungberg.
The national team boss continued his tirade in the press conference when he was asked about his comment to Djordjic’s representation.
He added: “I don’t know what I said. Don’t talk about Serbia and stuff like that. I can’t stand that kind of s***.
“I speak to him as a media representative. I may have expressed myself badly.
“If I said something bad, I can take responsibility and apologise for it. Don’t mix that up, then I get p***** off.”
Djordjic, 41, joined Manchester United as a youngster in 1999 and spent six years on the books at Old Trafford.
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The former winger made two senior appearances under Sir Alex Ferguson.
He went on to turn out for Rangers, Plymouth and Blackpool as well as teams around Europe including in Sweden before finishing his career with a year in India.
Andersson has been in charge of the national team since 2016Credit: Viaplay
The pair went at each other live on airCredit: Viaplay
The Sweden manager questioned the support and loyalty of the punditCredit: Viaplay
Anthony Elanga completed the 5-0 win in StockholmCredit: Reuters
Djordjic spent six years at Old Trafford and made two appearancesCredit: Empics More

BRUNO FERNANDES risked the wrath of Cristiano Ronaldo after publicly disagreeing with his Portugal captain.Ronaldo, 38, scored twice in the 6-0 thumping of Luxembourg last night.
Bruno Fernandes defied Cristiano Ronaldo with his comments with PortugalCredit: Getty
He was also mobbed by a pitch invader wearing an Al-Nassr shirt and combined his two celebrations for an unprecedented new version.
The result ensured Roberto Martinez continued his perfect start to life as Portugal boss, backing up the 4-0 win over Lichtenstein on Thursday in Euro 2024 qualifying.
Ronaldo claimed the new manager, who replaced Fernando Santos after the World Cup, brought a “breath of fresh air” to the national team camp.
Santos was in charge for eight years and led Portugal to Euro 2016 glory, their first major trophy win, as well as the inaugural Nations League.
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But Fernandes disputed his former Manchester United team-mate Ronaldo’s comments about Martinez.
The Old Trafford midfielder, 28, said in response: “No, it’s just a new coach, with new ideas.

“There’s no breath of fresh air at all.
“It’s just a transitional period. The atmosphere in the national team has always been good.
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“There are new dynamics, a new coach and we have to assimilate his ideas.”
It is not the first time Fernandes has made his feelings about Ronaldo known.
When CR7 arrived at the Portugal camp ahead of the World Cup, Fernandes appeared to snub his captain with a frosty reception – just days after the explosive interview with Piers Morgan was released.
Roberto Martinez replaced Fernando Santos in the dugoutCredit: Getty More

CRISTIANO RONALDO left fans baffled with his new and unprecedented ‘combined’ celebration.The Portugal superstar captained his country in their thrashing of Luxembourg in Euro 2024 qualifying.
Cristiano Ronaldo was delighted to get another two goals for PortugalCredit: AFP
He jumped into his trademark celebrationCredit: EPA
Ronaldo mixed up the landing by crossing his hands over his chestCredit: Reuters
Portugal ran out 6-0 winners away against LuxembourgCredit: Reuters
The 38-year-old got the 2016 champions off to a perfect start, breaking the deadlock after nine minutes.
Chelsea loanee Joao Felix and Manchester City ace Bernardo Silva had made it 3-0 by 18 minutes before Ronaldo grabbed his second and Portugal’s fourth just after the half-hour mark.
Otavio and Rafael Leao completed the 6-0 mauling late on.
But it was after CR7’s early opener that he caught the attention of viewers watching on in his record-extending 198th cap.
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Ronaldo raced away towards the corner as usual before taking off with his trademark ‘siuuu’ jump and spin.
But rather than landing with his arms straight down by his sides, he mixed it up.
Instead, he went straight into his other celebration, crossing his hands across his chest – a slight variation on the interlocking fingers.
And a few fans were loving the radical shake-up.
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One said: “Cristiano Ronaldo really combined both of his celebrations. 😭”
Another wrote: “Nah Ronaldo actually combined two celebrations together 😂😂 WATCH everyone copy this as well. His influence is massive man.”
A third added: “Ronaldo did the Siuu and the peace celebration together, New celebration just dropped 🐐”
One fan commented: “This double celebration of Cristiano Ronaldo is gonna take over the world again.”
And a final user joked: “Cristiano Ronaldo keeps breaking football records everyday… 💯. The first footballer ever to do a 2 in 1 celebration 🎉 💪.”
Later on in the game, the Al-Nassr forward appeared delighted as a fan – wearing a shirt for the Saudi club – mobbed him on the pitch.
The invader burst on to the field and was desperate to get close to his idol, who responded with a wink and a thumb up. More