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      Boris Johnson’s offer to host all of Euro 2020 welcomed by European football chiefs with 10 English stadiums on standby

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      BORIS JOHNSON’S offer to stage the whole of Euro 2020 has been welcomed by European football chiefs.
      Wembley is already due to stage SEVEN games at the tournament, including all three of England’s opening group matches, both semi-finals and the July 11 final.

      Ten English stadiums are on standby to host the entirety of this summer’s delayed European Championship

      But the PM’s invitation, exclusively revealed by The Sun, has opened the way for the ultimate summer of football across the country.
      One source told The Sun: “It is great for us that England is so keen to play its part this summer.”
      European football’s governing body Uefa plans to confirm the schedule for this summer’s delayed tournament by April 7.
      That is the date Euro bosses have ordered the current 12 planned host cities to confirm their willingness to host games.

      But Uefa is demanding that ALL hosts commit to staging games with fans inside grounds.
      The Government announced last week that all Covid restrictions will be ended from June 21, opening the way for Wembley to allow a 90,000 full house in for the finale of the tournament.
      That adds to the growing prospect of more matches being played on English soil.
      At a video meeting held by Uefa chiefs last week, it was made clear that opening the turnstiles was an absolute condition for matches to be held in the proposed cities.

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      Boris Johnson has offered the UK as a host for the entire delayed Euro 2020 tournamentCredit: 2021 Getty Images

      EURO 2020: How many fans will be allowed in stadiums?

      UEFA initially asked all host cities to rank their preferred options for crowds numbers.

      They ranged from full houses down to no supporters.
      But the roll out of the vaccine has changed the stance of Euro chiefs, who are now determined to see the turnstiles at least partially opened.
      Last week’s Government announcement would allow crowds of up to 10,000 for the first two England group games, against Croatia and then Scotland.
      Subsequent matches would see no further restrictions, meaning 90,000 fans could be allowed in to Wembley.
      But it is expected that pleas from the FA to let more fans in might be met with a positive response.
      That could mean 30 per cent of the Wembley capacity – adding up to 27,000 per match, for the group games, with attendances then being increased.
      Uefa are happy with the idea of two tiers of fan thresholds as long as the number of fans increases.
      But hosts will not be allowed to start with one capacity and then reduce it.
      And that us why the upbeat assessment and plans by the Government have been welcomed by Uefa and its high command.

      As well as Wembley, matches are due to be played at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Dublin, Amsterdam, Bilbao, Bucharest, Budapest, Copenhagen, Munich, Rome, St Petersburg, and the Azerbaijan capital Baku.
      So far, only nine cities have been able to give Uefa that commitment, conditional on Covid restrictions being eased.

      Dublin appears to be one of the venues in doubt, with Jonathan Hill, head of the FA of Ireland, admitting the issues being faced.
      He said: “We know we can deliver fans safely into the Aviva Stadium, so it is a question of how many we can deliver.
      “We are having those conversations with Uefa but they have real people who have bought real tickets.
      “At some point soon they are going to have to take decisions in relation to the structure of the tournament.”
      But despite the confident promises of the nine countries, the concerns of the Irish Government are also shared by Italy, Spain and Germany among other countries.
      None of those three nations have yet even suggested a roadmap which will allow the return of fans, in stark contrast to the pathway offered by the vaccine roll-out in England.

      Ten stadiums are on standby to host Euro 2020 and welcome fans in the processCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Uefa chiefs are huge fans of Wembley, which has already hosted two Champions League Finals since it was reopened in 2007 and will also stage European club football’s biggest match in 2024.
      The Swiss-based body was also hugely grateful to the FA when it agreed to take on the four games which were initially due to be hosted by Brussels when the format of the tournament was announced in 2012.
      Now English football could come to the rescue of Europe again if Uefa accepts it cannot hold the tournament as planned as a result of the pandemic.
      If next month’s decision is to ask the FA to stage the entire event it could see Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium in Manchester used.
      Anfield in Liverpool, Villa Park in Birmingham and both St James’ Park in Newcastle and Sunderland’s Stadium of Light could also be used.
      In the capital, Wembley could be one of four venues.
      The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Arsenal’s Emirates and the London Stadium used by West Ham are the other three.

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      Let’s get Euros back here then win, on penalties, with Gareth in charge

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      IT’S a bit on the chilly side again but my cockles have been well and truly warmed up by talk of us hosting more games in this summer’s Euros. Or last summer’s Euros, to be more precise.
      In fact, to hell with it — let’s bring the whole tournament here, shall we?

      Let’s get Euros back here then win, on penalties, with Gareth in chargeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      After all, there are those of the opinion that to host it across Europe in a dozen different cities might not have been the correct decision at the best of times.
      It’s a crying shame we didn’t have VAR available when that call was made.
      Then we could have checked to see if a clear and obvious error had been made. I suspect it had.
      And that was before any of us had even heard the word “Covid”.

      What an aberration against common sense, let alone environmental issues.
      Consider the plight of, say, a group of avid Wales fans in Holyhead piling on to a minibus for the journey to the venue for their first two games.

      England manager Gareth Southgate during the 2018 FIFA World CupCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      England fans celebrate during the 2018 FIFA World CupCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Nice and convenient to have both of those matches in the same place, by the way.
      Cheers, Uefa.

      However, that host city is Baku, Azerbaijan. The satnav on that minibus would have told them they had more than 3,000 miles to cover, taking well over 60 hours. And from there to game three in Rome, another journey only slightly shorter.
      Enough of this nonsense. Bring football home. One in eight of the competing nations are British anyway.
      There are more ifs and buts here than in the most controversial offside decision.
      But wouldn’t it be wonderful if it happened? What a summer 1996 was.
      HUGE ROAR
      It was a great time to be alive. I doubt anyone with even the vaguest interest in football was not touched emotionally by what unfolded.
      It didn’t matter whether you were in the grounds or watching on television. It was in the air.
      While England’s footballers were taking Spain to penalties at Wembley, I was at Lord’s, watching England’s cricketers playing India. The great Dickie Bird was one of the umpires, standing in his final Test match.
      I think somebody was running up to bowl when a huge roar went up around the home of cricket.
      A few miles across North London, Stuart Pearce had scored his penalty.
      Dickie, ever the loveable curmudgeon, shrugged grumpily in exasperation as we celebrated.

      Oasis on stage at their epic Knebworth concertCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      If we hadn’t been making such a racket, we would probably have heard the roar Pearce gave when he put that one away.
      I had another dog in the race. My mum is Croatian and this was Croatia’s first tournament as an independent nation.
      I travelled up from London to Sheffield to see us play Denmark at Hillsborough on a bus packed with emotional Croats.
      We were all behind the goal at the end Croatia were attacking in the second half.
      On 90 minutes Davor Šuker scored to make it 3-0, with one of the most sublime chips ever executed. We watched it sail over Peter Schmeichel’s head right in front of us.
      I went absolutely berserk, earning myself a stern rebuke from a Yorkshire copper.
      GREAT GATHERING
      Assuming I couldn’t speak English he said, very slowly: “You. Must. Calm. Down. Please.” I did my best.
      But football gives and takes away. Croatia were knocked out by Germany in the quarter-finals.
      Scotland had already had their hearts broken at Wembley by England, who then — as if you needed reminding — lost there to Germany in the semi-finals.
      I’ll take two memories of that game with me to my grave: Gazza lunging in to score but missing the ball by a distance so tiny I doubt there was equipment available at the time to measure it properly; and a tearful Gareth Southgate walking away after his penalty was saved.
      For England fans, I don’t think we’ll ever be over that night until we’ve got the whole tournament back here, and won it — preferably on penalties, with Gareth in charge.
      David Baddiel and Frank Skinner will be there too, as the whole stadium — indeed, the whole country — sings their song.

      Boris Johnson hopes to kick start a summer of fun and a ‘bonanza’ decade of footballCredit: PA:Press Association

      As Noel Gallagher says in the documentary film Oasis: Supersonic, it was simply a great time to be alive.
      Noel was talking about their massive Knebworth concerts later that summer . . . but what he says about those shows could apply just as much to the festival of football that had finished a month or so earlier: “It was the pre-digital age . . . I always thought it was the last great gathering of the people before the birth of the internet.”
      If that is the case, it would be brilliantly apt if the first great gathering of the people after the darkest days of the pandemic was here, at the Euros, in the UK.

      England boss Gareth Southgate backs bid to stage Euro 2020 matches in UK
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      England World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst backs Boris Johnson’s offer to host Euros in the UK

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      ENGLAND World Cup hero Sir Geoff Hurst last night backed PM Boris Johnson’s offer to host the Covid-hit Euros here.
      Sir Geoff declared the bid to bring football home again would “recapture the spirit of ’66” when his hat-trick saw off the Germans in the final.

      🦠 Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates…

      Sir Geoff Hurst has backed Boris Johnson’s offer to host the Covid-hit Euros in the UKCredit: Fame Flynet
      Twelve nations are due to stage the Euros, with the semis and final at Wembley.
      But in a move heartily backed by The Sun, Boris offered our stadia for the whole tournament amid our jabs success.
      Sir Geoff said staging this summer’s European championships here would bring joy to the country’s pandemic-hit footie fans.

      He told The Sun: “I know a thing or two about the joy having a summer tournament on home soil can bring.
      “Winning the World Cup as the home nation — I enjoy it daily. So let’s recapture that spirit of ’66 — we could all do with that now.”
      The move to hold the tournament here comes as the UK’s vaccine rollout has surged ahead of the continent’s.

      Sir Geoff was part of England’s winning 1966 World Cup squadCredit: Rex Features

      Hosting the whole of the Euros could give a massive £1billion boost to the UK economyCredit: Reuters
      It means while fans may not be allowed at stadia in the EU by the June 11 date of the opening game, around 10,000 supporters should be able to attend matches here.

      And with all restrictions scheduled to be lifted in England, we should have full stadia by June 21.
      That would include 90,000 in Wembley, which is already hosting the semis and final in July.
      Staging the Covid-delayed Euro 2020 here would be a huge economic boost worth about £1billion.
      And Sir Geoff, 79, who hit a hat-trick in England’s 4-2 World Cup final triumph against West Germany at Wembley in 1966, declared it could be a reminder of those glory days.
      He said it could also recreate the magical summer of 1996 when Baddiel and Skinner sang Football’s Coming Home and Gazza led England’s Three Lions to the brink of triumph in the Euros.

      It’s been a long time since we had a tournament and on top of it arriving at the end of the pandemic, it will be fantastic
      Sir Geoff Hurst

      Sir Geoff added: “The crowds will be enormous and celebratory when they are allowed in to see the Euros.
      “There’s nothing like it. It’s been a long time since we had a tournament and on top of it arriving at the end of the pandemic, it will be fantastic.”
      The footie hero, one of more than 20million Brits who have already had their first jab, was speaking after the PM told The Sun the nation stood ready to host the tournament.
      Sir Geoff believes the vaccine rollout will free the country to do it.
      He said: “After all this pandemic nightmare we have encountered, the vaccine is fantastic news and the way we have produced the vaccine in comparison to many countries in the world is outstanding.
      “That is the only way out, getting vaccines to everybody in the country and we are ahead of most people doing it.

      Boris Johnson, pictured in 2010, says England stands ready to host the tournamentCredit: PA:Press Association
      “We are all in this together.
      “And with our world-class facilities and passionate fans we can give Europe — and the rest of the world — a tournament that everyone can be proud of and remember forever.”
      The nation may have to compensate other countries for losing tournament games, estimated at around £3million per match in lost TV, advertising and other revenue.
      But hosting the whole event could give a £1billion boost to the UK economy.
      Mr Johnson has already told The Sun that the nation was on standby to take on more games.
      He said: “Any other matches they want hosted, we are certainly on for that!”

      German tabloid jibe at Johnson

      GERMANY is doubtful it can stage the Euros and tabloid Bild yesterday appeared to accept the idea of England doing so — with a jokey “You Get The Euros, We Get The Trophy” offer to Boris Johnson.

      And Whitehall sources say they stand “ready and waiting” for the call from Uefa to stage the entire summer showpiece.
      It would hand a much needed boost to the hospitality sector after a crippling lockdown.
      British Beer & Pub Association boss Emma McClarkin said: “The Euros going ahead in the UK after a torrid 18 months would be the perfect kick-off for our recovery. The pub is the home of football.
      “There would be nothing better than a home festival of football to kick off a fantastic summer in the nation’s pubs.
      “We have all missed it and it would give pubs a huge boost which they need now more than ever.”
      England superfan Mark Knapper, 62, who first went away to watch the Three Lions against West Germany in 1978, said supporters would be “over the moon” if it happened.

      Sir Geoff, 79, is one of more than 20 million Brits who have already had their first Covid jabCredit: Rex Features

      There could be a full house at Wembley by the time skipper Harry Kane leads England out for their final group gameCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Twelve nations are due to stage the Euros, with the semis and final at WembleyCredit: Alamy
      He said: “Everywhere in Europe knows the UK is doing so well with its vaccine rollout, so I think it would soften the blow as it’s not a case of, ‘Sorry lads, you can’t do it’.
      “It’s a case of we think this is probably the safest option rather than having people travel all around Europe.”
      “I’d love it. I think it would be fantastic and I remember how good Euro 96 was.”
      Tournament chiefs at Uefa last night welcomed the PM’s offer to stage the whole tournament — or host matches that other countries are unable to fulfil.
      One source told The Sun: “It is great for us that England is so keen to play its part this summer.”
      MAJOR DOUBT
      Uefa plans to confirm the tournament schedule by April 7.
      That is the date they have ordered the 12 planned host cities to confirm their willingness to stage games.
      But Uefa is demanding all hosts commit to staging games with fans inside grounds.

      Only England will be far enough advanced with its vaccination programme by the June 11 opener.
      Ireland has already cast major doubt on its ability to host matches in Dublin.

      Spain, Italy and Germany are all either in or facing new lockdowns.
      But there could be a full house at Wembley by the time skipper Harry Kane leads England out for their final group game against the Czech Republic on June 22.
      It is likely only UK-based fans would be allowed to attend games.

      Only UK can get fans in grounds

      By Martin Lipton, Chief Sports Reporter

      THE Euros — already delayed by a year because of Covid — are supposed to be held in 12 cities across the Continent.
      As well as Wembley, matches are due to be played at Glasgow’s Hampden Park, Dublin, Amsterdam, Bilbao, Bucharest, Budapest, Copenhagen, Munich, Rome, St Petersburg and Azerbaijan capital Baku.
      But Uefa chiefs now insist all host nations commit to games with fans.
      And by the start of the tournament on June 11 only the UK is likely to be so far advanced with its vaccination programme to be in a position to safely do so.
      Nine host countries say they could take fans but have not submitted concrete proposals.
      But Dublin has already said it could struggle and Spain, Italy and Germany also have major doubts.
      That means at least 15 matches may shift to England — if not the whole tournament.
      They would include the first game on June 11, due in Rome between Italy and Turkey.
      If England does stage the tournament it is likely only UK-based fans could attend.
      Last month’s announcement on crowds would mean around 10,000 allowed at Wembley for England’s matches against Croatia on June 13 and Scotland on June 18.
      But if the jabs programme accelerates that could increase to around 30,000 at all grounds staging early group matches.
      After all restrictions are due to be lifted on June 21, the full 90,000 capacity at Wembley could be used for England’s last group game against the Czech Republic on June 22 and all subsequent matches including the final and semis.
      Fans may be asked to produce a vaccine passport or certificate to get in.
      Manchester’s Old Trafford and Etihad stadiums, Anfield in Liverpool, Villa Park in Birmingham and both St James’ Park in Newcastle and Sunderland’s Stadium of Light could be used for matches.
      In London Wembley, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Arsenal’s Emirates and the London Stadium used by West Ham are all possibles.
      Uefa decides on April 7.

      The Sun Says

      IT’S impossible to imagine the Euros being held safely in full stadiums across 12 European cities this summer.

      The EU vaccine rollout is in disarray. Many nations there doubt they will have fans back in grounds by then.
      Here, good news keeps coming. So, as 1966 World Cup legend Sir Geoff Hurst says, why not let England host the lot?
      Our jabs, almost 21million now done, are slashing hospitalisations and deaths. The case rate nationwide is the lowest since last September and falling.
      Some eight million of us now live in areas with zero cases, or close to it.
      PHE even reckon the vaccines may stop Covid spreading almost entirely.
      The Government’s sluggish timetable for our June 21 liberation looks out of date. If our progress continues without setbacks we can shave a few weeks off it.
      And Uefa should let us host a magnificent tournament before capacity crowds . . . all safely jabbed up.

      England boss Gareth Southgate backs bid to stage Euro 2020 matches in UK
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      Ex-footie ace Jamie O’Hara reveals battle with sleeping pills

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      EX-FOOTIE ace Jamie O’Hara has told of his battle with sleeping pills after our shock probe into addicted players.
      We revealed yesterday how scores of Premier League stars are hooked on prescription pills.

      Former Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara told of his battle with sleeping pillsCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Former Spurs midfielder O’Hara said he was prescribed the tablets by a club doctor after struggling to sleep following evening matches.
      Speaking on TalkSPORT, O’Hara, 34, said: “I used sleeping pills a lot. After games on a Tuesday night I was always terrible at sleeping.
      “The adrenaline is pumping, you’ve got the emotion of the game, the atmosphere, the crowd. The problem was I then became a little dependent on them. I wanted them all the time so I started taking them quite a bit.
      “I wouldn’t say I was addicted to them but I ended up getting to a point where I wanted to stop because I felt like I was needing them more.”

      The ex-footie ace, 34, was prescribed the tablets by a club doctor to improve his sleep following evening matchesCredit: Rex Features

      Yesterday, we revealed that stars are mixing ‘sleepers’ such as Zopiclone, pictured here, with alcohol to get highCredit: Science Photo Library
      Our probe found stars are mixing “sleepers” such as Zopiclone with alcohol to get high.
      They include two England aces buying on the black market. A third downed pills with champagne and vodka. O’Hara called on clubs to help players facing an increasing number of games.

      He added: “I can understand why people are taking them but I don’t understand why they are trying to get a high out of it. They need help.”
      Sleeping pills are not on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of banned substances.

      There are now calls for players to be regularly screened by their clubs or for the pills to be outlawed.

      Jamie said ‘I ended up getting to a point where I wanted to stop because I felt like I was needing them more’Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      Nuno reveals Wolves star Adama Traore lathers baby oil on arms to stop being held back and to avoid shoulder injuries
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      Scores of Premier League stars are ‘risking lives and careers’ by getting hooked on sleeping pills

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      THE Premier League is becoming swamped with players hooked on sleeping pills, The Sun can reveal.
      Scores of stars are mixing “sleepers” with alcohol to chase a new recreational high.

      The Premier League is becoming swamped with players hooked on sleeping pillsCredit: Alamy

      Aces are mixing ‘sleepers’ with alcohol to get highCredit: Alamy

      Insiders say the problem with pills such as Zopiclone and Zolpidem is growing at a terrifying rate with some risking their lives and careers.
      The Sun recently told how one England star has been popping pack after pack of Zopiclone, downing them with champagne and vodka.
      Today we can reveal two more Three Lions players have turned to the black market to get their hands on larger quantities of the Class C prescription medication.
      One Wag returned home from a night out to find her partner out cold on the sofa and their hysterical kids trying to wake him.

      A source close to the star said: “They’re destroying him — and those around him.’’
      PERFECT STORM
      Astonishingly, the pills are not on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of banned substances.
      There are now calls for players to be regularly screened by their clubs or for the pills to be outlawed.
      Sporting Chance, the charity set up by former England and Arsenal hero Tony Adams, said it had been contacted by “many, many more players” seeking help.

      The charity warned this is just the tip of the iceberg.

      Pills such as Zopiclon are being prescribed by club doctorsCredit: Alamy
      Chief executive Colin Bland said: “We have seen a notable increase in this behaviour during the pandemic.
      “There is help there, from us, the Premier League and their clubs, but it’s been harder to get the message out because of lockdown. It’s created a perfect storm.”
      It is well known that footballers struggle getting to sleep after midweek evening matches.
      Their bodies are buzzing after 90 minutes and on a “come down” for hours after getting home. It was habitual for clubs to hand out the tablets to players — in small doses that a GP would recommend.
      But like most prescription drugs, the more you take, the more you need to get the same effect.
      And players say the routine distribution has started many on a rocky road to sleeping pill addiction.
      Some are scouring the black market for their fix, and are sharing them in dressing rooms.
      Premier League clubs are now reeling from the “monster” they ­created and are desperate to clampdown on the use.
      One of the three England aces, who The Sun is not naming, was originally prescribed small doses of Zolpidem by a club doctor.
      But he began mixing it with booze to get high and is now dependent.

      Last week we revealed an England ace had become addicted to the powerful sleeping tablets

      Fears for three aces

      PLAYER 1: One of his generation’s most talented stars but habit is the talk of dressing rooms.
      He has openly downed the pills with champagne and vodka at parties. But his habit leaves him lacklustre in training the next day.
      PLAYER 2: Pro with years of experience playing for England.
      Prescribed Zolpidem by club. Started mixing pills with alcohol, now addicted. Wag begged him to get help after finding him “out cold”.
      PLAYER 3: Young star tipped to be England regular. Suffered a form dip many have linked to his prolific use of sleepers. Concerns he may never fulfil potential.

      A source said: “He has been taking them every single day for the last year. It has become part of his routine.
      “He’d take them before bed but it soon progressed to whenever and wherever.
      “They are destroying him and those around him. Taking sleeping tablets is rife among some of his teammates and at other clubs too.
      “There’s an open conversation between players about who can get what and where from. It’s out of control. The pills need to be banned.
      “What if a player was behind the wheel and killed someone you love?
      “They don’t consider the repercussions. They think they’re invincible.”
      The source said the player has confided in club bosses who are offering their full support.
      They added: “The club has recommended he seek therapy to address it. His partner is worried and wants him to get help urgently.”
      One dressing room source said our original story on an unnamed England ace had sent shockwaves through the game.

      They don’t consider the repercussions. They think they’re invincible.

      The source added: “What The Sun has uncovered is being discussed at the very top.
      “There has been panic about what might come out next. Everyone is aware of the player who has recently battled a Zopiclone addiction.
      “He has been all over the place. It is common knowledge across the Premier League.

      Some players are turning to the black market to get their fixCredit: Alamy

      Heroes not immune to huge risks

      By Craig Dexter, Sporting Chance

      THERE is a misconception that substances prescribed for life issues such as poor sleep are less of a threat to wellbeing than illegal ones purchased on a street corner.
      Yet they can be just as dangerous and habit forming if misused or abused.
      Doctors and psychiatrists are trained to assess a safe and appropriate dose.
      Importantly, they will consider all the factors relevant to an individual patient.
      Those in professional sport may, wrongly, believe the rules do not apply.
      Excuses will include factors such as repetitive injury, wanting to play in pain and late kick-offs due to TV.
      Sometimes, sports people tell us, it’s just because of a simple desire to change the way they are feeling.
      Certain sports have normalised prescribed medication use.
      Look deeper and you find more dangers.
      Substances bought from illegal sources may not be as advertised.
      Often the dose indicators are way off.
      Dependent players risk prosecution or even blackmail.
      The main reason people ask Sporting Chance for help is that they have started to find their own behaviour unacceptable.

      “But he is by no means the only player struggling. They’ve been gobbling them down like sweets. This is a massive issue.”
      Previously aces inhaled balloons containing nitrous oxide, known as laughing gas or hippy crack, to get their kicks.
      It was widely used on the party scene because of the euphoria it can induce. But “sleepers” are now the go-to high.
      Mr Bland added: “Some players will have a habit, where it has become routine.
      “Others will have an addictive disorder and this is their chosen drug of choice.
      “Some will know they have a problem and seek help. But others won’t or will insist that they don’t have a problem.
      “Elite athletes, footballers, are mixing large doses with alcohol for that very reason and it’s becoming a growing problem.
      “They won’t be prescribed them in the quantity they are using, so they often turn to the black market.
      “Let’s be clear, using prescribed medication beyond its prescribed dose is drug abuse.
      “Using prescribed medication bought on the black market and not prescribed to you is also drug abuse and may be illegal.
      “If that wasn’t enough, the boxes of tablets warn against using with alcohol so to mix the two is, again, drug abuse.
      “There’s no way of getting away from it. It’s a murky world that they are occupying.”

      Players previously inhaled balloons containing nitrous oxide, known as laughing gasCredit: Getty

      The British Medical Journal has published experts’ letters warning against the misuse of sleeping pills and their ready availability online.
      A recent survey of Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) members showed nine per cent were experiencing difficulties with damaging addictive habits.
      The Football Association provides players with general information on what substances they put into their systems, plus educational material on the relevant matters.
      Players who need help should contact sportingchanceclinic.com
      Members of the public who fear they have a problem should call Talk to Frank on 0300 1236600 and Narcotics Anonymous 0300 9991212.

      WHERE TO GET HELP

      FRANK
      Helpline open 24/7: 0300 123 6600
      ADDACTION
      For help finding a service or to Instant chat
      Help4Addiction
      Help, support and advice for those affected by addiction
      Change, Grow, Live
      Help for anyone with drug and alcohol issues
      Dedicated help for people under 25.
      SANE
      Mental health support line: 0300 304 7000
      Action on Addiction
      Rehab and community addiction treatment
      0300 330 0659
      DrugFAM
      Helpline open 9am-9pm, 7 days a week
      0300 888 3853
      Help for families affected by drugs and alcohol

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      Omar Richards completes shock Bayern Munich transfer as Reading ace agrees four-year deal with Bundesliga giants

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      OMAR RICHARDS sealed a bombshell free transfer to Bayern Munich.
      The Reading defender, 23, will swap Berkshire for Bavaria this summer, after agreeing to a shock four-year deal with the German champions.

      Omar Richards has agreed to join Bayern Munich from Reading this summerCredit: Rex Features

      The stunning transfer was hashed out between his entourage and Bayern on Monday afternoon, following three months of negotiations.
      And he has already passed a medical in the UK, due to coronavirus travel restrictions.
      The highly-rated Londoner turned heads at the Allianz after his scintillating form for Reading in both a defence and a wide-midfield role this term.
      He has played a key part in Veljko Paunovic’s promotion push, with the Madejski boss desperate to keep him.

      The Lewisham lad has gone on to make 92 appearances, including 77 starts, for Reading since his 2017 bow.
      And the Championship outfit will be entitled to training compensation when his deal comes to an end in June.
      Richards will face stiff competition for a starting spot in Hans-Dieter Flick’s starting XI.
      He will start as back-up for Alphonso Davies on the left-side of the Bayern defence, after the Canadian made the position his own last season.

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      The 20-year-old played 43 times in Bayern’s Treble-winning season in the last campaign and was named in the Uefa, Fifa and Champions League Team of the Season.
      Richards could be used as replacement for David Alaba, 28, who is set to leave for free this summer, with versatile Lucas Hernandez often played in the middle.
      It will come as a blow to Everton who were said to be keeping tabs on the defender in a bid to provide Lucas Digne with competition.
      The youngster’s one and only cap for England’s Under-21s came off the bench against Slovenia in October 2019.

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      Gareth Bale’s form delights Real Madrid chiefs who hope Tottenham will extend £650,000-a-week ace’s loan transfer

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      GARETH BALE’S long-awaited return to form is being celebrated as much in Spain as it is at Spurs.
      The Welsh superstar rolled back the years as he helped Tottenham batter Burnley 4-0 on Sunday.

      Gareth Bale’s upturn in form could convince Tottenham to extend his loan spell in North LondonCredit: Tom Jenkins/ The Guardian

      It was undoubtedly his best display since he returned on a season-long loan from Real Madrid in September.
      The Spanish giants hope it will persuade Tottenham to extend Bale’s stay for the final year of his contract next term.
      And the good news for them is the North Londoners will look at taking him on loan again for next season if he continues to impress between now and the summer.
      That will have Bernabeu bosses jumping for joy as they are desperate to get the £650,000-a-week Welshman, 31, off their wage bill.

      So desperate, in fact, that they agreed to let him rejoin Spurs in a ridiculously cut-price deal that involved no loan fee and the Premier League club paying just £230,000 a week of his wages.
      Real hoped this deal would lead to Tottenham taking it up again next season, though the execs based at Lilywhite House were always eager to point out there was never any agreement in writing.
      Especially when Bale — after nearly two years left out in the cold by Zinedine Zidane — was blowing out of his backside and struggling to get into a Jose Mourinho side that was hardly pulling up trees.
      That frustrated Bernabeu bean counters who, with bridges to China burned by the collapse of his megabucks move to Jiangsu Suning last February, faced the prospect of their highly-paid and underplayed employee spending another 12 months getting his golf handicap down on local courses on their time.

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      Worse still, from a football point of view, it seemed the career of one of the modern greats, and undoubtedly the greatest British export of all time, was fizzling out with hardly a whimper.
      But, less than a month after even his own agent appeared to admit his client was coming to the end of his career, Bale hit back with a bang to cast a new light over his Tottenham future — and, indeed, his own.
      After encouraging cameos in both legs of Spurs’ Europa League last-32 romp over Wolfsberger and as a sub in their 2-1 Prem defeat by West Ham, the four-time Champions League winner reminded us there is still plenty of life in the old Dragon yet on Sunday.
      After his brace and assist, boss Mourinho said: “Now he is better than ever. It’s not just the two goals, it’s about his physical performance. Now he’s not flat.”
      It was welcomed even more by his Real paymasters, who now believe if Tottenham do not want him this summer, there is at least a chance another club will.
      Yet the Spaniards may not have to worry about that now, as Bale’s form will undoubtedly force Spurs into a rethink over what they do with him at the end of the season.

      We always thought it could turn into a two-year loan
      Spurs insider

      Europa League shake-up

      UEFA have confirmed Spurs’ Europa League tie with Dinamo Zagreb has been switched so they lose home advantage for the second leg.
      Tottenham and Arsenal, who play Olympiakos, were originally drawn to play away first.
      But Europa League regulations do not allow two matches in the same city on the same date.
      Arsenal, as last season’s FA Cup winners, have a higher precedence than Spurs, so it is Mourinho’s side that must swap fixtures.
      Now Jose Mourinho’s Spurs play at home next week while Arsenal face a long flight to Athens just three days before the North London derby at the Emirates.

      A club insider insisted: “We were always going to make our decision then and always thought it could turn into a two-year loan.”
      Yeah, right. That is not the message club officials were relaying when Bale was playing badly or not playing at all.
      But, suddenly, Spurs are keen on keeping him, especially on the same bargain terms. Or even less, knowing chairman Daniel Levy.
      And why not? It would be a deal to sort all parties.
      Tottenham have sold many stars down the years to their benefit financially — but detriment in a football sense.
      To let Bale slip through their fingers if he continues to improve at this rate, and having spent months nursing him back to peak condition, would be an absolute crime.
      But so very Spursy.

      Real Madrid are desperate to get Bale’s £650,000-a-week pay off their own wage billCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Nigeria trying to steal Bournemouth star Arnaut Danjuma, 24, from under Holland noses after Fifa rule change

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      NIGERIA are trying to persuade Bournemouth star Arnaut Danjuma to switch allegiances from the Netherlands.
      Danjuma, 24, was born in Lagos to a Nigerian mother and Dutch father.

      Arnaut Danjuma has been in good form for the Cherries this seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      He moved to Holland aged four and eventually joined PSV’s academy.
      The forward won two caps for the Oranje in 2018 against Germany in the Nations League and a friendly versus Belgium in which he scored.
      A rule change was approved by Fifa in September meaning players can switch countries if they have played no more than three competitive games.
      It would allow Danjuma to play for the Super Eagles despite his Nations League appearance.

      The forward, who joined the Cherries from Club Brugge in 2019 for £13.7million, has seven league goals in the Championship this season.
      The most recent came in Saturday’s fiery 1-0 victory over Watford at the Vitality Stadium.
      Danjuma’s strike gave the Cherries the lead with just under half an hour to play.
      But all hell broke lose deep into stoppage time.

      The winger notched his seventh goal of the season on SaturdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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      Teenage Hornets striker Joao Pedro was red carded for a late challenge on Jefferson Lerma as the game ebbed away from the Hornets.
      The Colombian midfielder then aimed a little shove at Tom Cleverley, with the former Manchester United star not taking too kindly to his antics, and incensed ex-Cherry Dan Gosling also getting right into the thick of things.
      And just as things seemed to have calmed down slightly following Pedro’s exit, the handbags flared up yet again, with Jack Wilshere also being shown a second yellow card for his role in the ruckus.
      The former Arsenal star had seen the red mist, steaming in from nowhere to get involved with Cleverley.
      Danjuma and Co currently sit sixth in the Championship standings, as they aim to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

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