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    Bank holiday petition calling for day off if England win Euro 2020 passes 300,000 signatures

    A PETITION calling for a bank holiday if England wins the Euros on Sunday has passed a whopping 300,000 signatures – in less than 24 hours.The man behind the call, Lee Jones, organised the petition just yesterday after arguing it was “beneficial and sensible” to give the country the day off.
    ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
    Hundreds of thousands of Brits have signed a petition calling for an emergency bank hol if England win the EurosCredit: Reuters
    It comes as millions ask for days off on MondayCredit: Solarpix
    And since then, hundreds of thousands of people have added their names – and Boris Johnson refused to rule out a day off for millions of hungover workers.
    The PM remained tight-lipped when quizzed on any plans yesterday.
    He said: “I think that would be tempting fate – let’s see.”
    But the Sun has learnt officials are already drawing up proposals for a national day off so fans can celebrate a Three Lions triumph free from hated Covid restrictions.
    It’s understood it could take place in August.
    And Mr Johnson urged bosses to be soft on workers who turn up late nursing monster hangovers next week.
    Around eight million lionhearts have booked the day off to recover from monster hangovers after Sunday night’s do-or-die decider against Italy.
    The PM is planning to give an extra national day off in August when lockdown finally lifts if the Lions winCredit: LNP
    One in four workers have already asked for a day to nurse hangovers on MondayCredit: NNP
    England will take on Italy in the final
    Fan fever led to around one in four of the nation’s 32m workers to schedule annual leave on Monday – double the number on normal Mondays in July.
    And plenty of bosses will be lenient with their staff, while some schools say kids can come in late without punishment.
    HR experts and unions yesterday urged bosses to let staff take Monday off to avoid clashes with workers who will phone in sick if denied leave.

    Headteacher Gemma Donnelly, of Braywick Court School in Bray, Berks, was among many telling parents she will accept pupils not coming in until 10.30am after staying up late to watch.
    TUC boss Frances O’Grady said: “Bosses should talk to staff and try to let people who want to watch games do so — either at work, or at home — and claim back working time afterwards.”
    Meanwhile, Chancellor Rishi Sunak predicted a win will fuel a £12billion euphoric spending splurge.
    England are now favourites amid a betting spree at bookies.
    Id the Lions are victorious tomorrow, the celebrations will be long – and very loudCredit: AFP
    Tens of thousands of people will watch at Wembley – but millions more will be glued to the TVCredit: PA
    And streets will be packed with revellers partying into the nightCredit: AP
    But Gareth Southgate and co will be hoping history doesn’t repeat itself as the country gears up for our biggest game for 55 years.
    England have won just ONE major tournament – the stunning 4-2 victory against West Germany to win the 1966 World Cup.
    But now captain Harry Kane has the chance to lead his troops into the record books in front of 60,000 screaming fans at Wembley Stadium.
    Hopes are high after England laid the semi-final curse to rest with a fantastic 2-1 victory over Denmark on Wednesday night at Wembley.
    But it’ll be a nail-biting clash – and the Lions have never beaten Italy in a major tournament.
    The last time they faced each other was at the 2014 World Cup, with the Italians winning 2-1.
    Football hero Sir Geoff Hurst told Good Morning Britain today an England win would be bigger than the victory in 1966.
    “The timing couldn’t be better – we’re fortunate to hold the semis and finals in this country,” he said.

    “Many of the crowd on Sunday will have had issues relating to pandemic – that does elevate this game particularly.”
    And after the win 55 years ago, he said celebrations were much more mundane.
    “I went home the morning after the game, cleaned the car and cut the lawn – that’s what you did in those days,” he said.
    Boris Johnson is considering football Bank Holiday this August if England wins Euro 2020 as excitement hits fever pitch More

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    England fans and pubs beg Boris Johnson to call time on killjoy Covid clamps – to kick off Euro 2020 boozer boom

    ENGLAND fans and pubs begged Boris Johnson to call time on killjoy Covid clamps yesterday — so the country can kick off a Euro 2020 boozer boom.Rule of six restrictions will apply when the Three Lions, captained by Harry Kane, play their first two matches against Croatia and Scotland, thwarting large-scale fan fun.
    Pubs have urged Boris Johnson to stick to his guns and unlock the country on June 21 to boost the economyCredit: Splash
    And pressure mounted on Boris to stick to his guns and end hospitality restrictions on June 21 as excitement mounted ahead of tomorrow’s big tournament kick-off.
    The plea came as a survey revealed the vast majority of footie revellers miss pub action — with half more likely to watch games at their local if curbs are lifted.
    British Beer & Pub Association data revealed 85 per cent of pub-going football fans believe the current restrictions will spoil their Euro 2020 enjoyment this summer.
    Findings from a poll of 1,000 regulars showed Covid rules could tarnish the showpiece — while driving desperate pubs out of business.
    It showed 91 per cent said they missed watching games at the pub when they were fully closed during lockdowns.
    But half said they would be more likely to return to watch Euro 2020 at their pub if all restrictions on pubs are lifted.
    At present, pubs are required to ensure one-metre-plus social distancing is in place, operate table service only and ensure that face masks are worn when not seated. 
    Group sizes are also limited to six, and standing at a bar or standing while drinking is not permitted anywhere.
    The rule of six will apply when the Three Lions, captained by Harry Kane, play their first two matchesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    BBPA chiefs begged the PM to stick to his guns and lift all restrictions on June 21, in time for England’s last group game against the Czech Republic the next day.
    The tournament, delayed from last summer, is seen as a vital springboard back to normal service.
    And if pubs, supermarkets and high streets are able to cash in on it properly, it could provide a £5billion boost to the economy.
    Millions of fans will spend £1billion drinking 120million pints — with the same again spent on food and booze for home parties. 
    That will include 100million burgers and 80million sausages — and 100,000 new barbecues to cook them on. There will also be 20million pizzas sold and 500,000 new TVs to watch the matches on.
    Pub bosses across the nation are praying for a repeat of England’s epic run to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018. It sparked sales of an extra 40million pints.
    St George’s flags fly from residents’ homes at the Kirby Estate in Bermondsey, south LondonCredit: AFPWhat we’ll be buying

    120mpints
    100mburgers
    20mpizzas
    100Kpizzas
    500Knew TVs
    100Kfootie shirts
    30KEngland flags

    But UK Hospitality has predicted that a two-week delay to easing restrictions could cost the industry an estimated £1.5billion.
    Pub retailer Greene King warned it would lose a crippling £1million a day during every England football game that takes place without the rules being eased.
    But yesterday pub boss and Sheffield United fan Adam Chamberlain, 43, was flying the flag for England — and every other Euro nation — as he prayed for the long-awaited rule change.
    He has decked out his Greene King boozer, The Big Tree in Sheffield, with 500 flags and 2,000ft of bunting.
    Adam spent 36 hours painstakingly pinning up flags from every nation, while placing St George’s flags and two giant inflatable England mascots in pole position.
    He said: “I’d like to think this is the best-decorated pub in the UK.
    “We wanted to do something special for the Euros because it’s been quite a tough year and we’re all just buzzing for this. We wanted to lift spirits and get everyone excited and thought go big or go home.
    “Once I started putting up flags for the Euros I just couldn’t stop. 
    “Everyone in the business is so excited after such a terrible 18 months. Euro 2020 is vital for our trade and it’s going to be a great football party. But if England do as well as I hope they will, restrictions end on June 21 and this heatwave continues, it’s going to be an unforgettable summer.
    “I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I’ve a feeling it’s coming home.”
    Pressure is mounting on Boris Johnson to stick to his guns and lift restrictions on June 21Credit: Andrew Parsons / No10 Downing StreetBank to Boris AN end to all lockdown restrictions on June 21 is needed to give the economy its full “mojo” back, a boss at the Bank of England has said.

    Andy Haldane, the Bank’s chief economist, said that the UK’s recovery was going “gangbusters”, and outstripping that of other big economies around the world. 
    But he reckons the easing of all restrictions would be “fantastic for the economy” and “would put the mojo back into both businesses and workers”.

    Elsewhere, an entire housing estate was swathed in England flags yesterday as fun-starved fans ditched Covid fears — and caught Euro 2020 fever instead.
    Residents on the Kirby Estate in Bermondsey, South East London, spent days hanging bunting and flags over their balconies, street lamps and to walls.
    One, Chris Dowse, 42, said: “Saw one of my neighbours, Alan, had put a couple of flags up.
    “I thought ‘Oh, that looks nice’, and I looked over to the other block and saw a lady had also put a couple of flags up. 
    “But it just didn’t look finished, so I said to Alan ‘let’s go get some more’.
    “We ended up buying more and more and more then we all came together and said ‘Right, we’re doing it properly and we’ll have the whole estate done.”
    The entire estate was also decked with flags during England’s run in Russia three years ago.
    But this year there will also be a Scottish flag.
    Chris said: “The chap who lives there, his dad was English and his mum was Scottish. 
    The Sun says
    IMAGINE watching the Euros in a pub with table service, the rule of six and social distancing. Millions would stay at home.
    So we join fans and pub bosses in beseeching Boris Johnson not to be swayed by rising cases — and to fully open our boozers on June 21 in time for the later stages of the tournament.
    Yesterday infections climbed again, to 7,540. It’s the highest in months. But that’s where the gloomy stats end.
    Cases began their sharp increase over three weeks ago, yet hospitalisations and deaths remain low. It’s no longer inevitable they will soar too — because 28,540,844 of us have had two jabs and 40,710,319 one. And yesterday alone one million young people booked theirs.
    Hold your nerve, PM.

    “They’ve both sadly passed away in the last 18 months or so, so he’s put the Scottish flag up on one side, to honour his mum, and England flag up on the other side.
    “We’ve also got a Portuguese flag up and we’re due to have a German one, French and Spanish.
    “If you want to put your flag up, as long as you’re in the Championships we’ll put it up for you.”
    A footy-loving pub landlord has boasted having the ‘best decorated pub’ in the UK after creating an amazing display featuring FIVE HUNDRED flags on the eve of Euro 2020 More

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    Prem chiefs hope to have 10,000 fans in stadiums for last TWO weeks of season and could move games to make it happen

    PREMIER LEAGUE CEO Richard Masters is hoping up to 10,000 fans can attend the final two fixtures of the season.
    The current schedule is expected to be amended to allow all 20 clubs to have spectators for their final home match.

    Up to 10,000 fans will be allowed to attend some grounds from May 17, with others being a quarter-fullCredit: Getty – Contributor

    Speaking to Premier League Productions, Masters said: “The government’s roadmap is really welcome, it sets out a plan for the return of supporters.
    “Hopefully the final two of the fixtures of our season will have up to 10,000 supporters in them all.
    “We have got to get past those first initial steps in the roadmap to get there but it will be a fantastic finale to the end of our season.”
    As part of the government’s action plan out of lockdown, fans can return to outdoor stadiums – in limited numbers – from May 17.

    Nine Premier League clubs, including Manchester United and Liverpool, will be allowed to house 10,000 as they have grounds that can hold more than 40,000.
    The rest, however, can only be a quarter-full – meaning Fulham will welcome just 4,750 to their final match at Craven Cottage.
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    Arsenal ace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has signed a new deal at the club

    The penultimate round of fixtures, provisionally pencilled in for Saturday May 15, are now expected to take place a few days later.

    The final round of the season on Sunday May 23 is unlikely to be pushed back because of Euro 2020.
    Fans initially returned in December, although not all grounds were allowed to welcome them back due to local restrictions.
    The traditional Saturday ‘blackout’ – banning 3pm fixtures from being televised in the UK – is expected to return next season.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

    Rangers captain James Tavernier urges Gers fans to stay at home and not gather for next Sunday’s Old Firm match More

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    England risk being kicked out of the World Cup under barmy Labour border plans

    ENGLAND risk being kicked out of the World Cup under barmy Labour border plans.
    Sir Keir Starmer wants arrivals from every country to spend ten days in hotel quarantine.

    😷 Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

    England risk being kicked out of the World Cup under barmy Labour border plans that would see arrivals from every country to spend ten days in hotel quarantineCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Under the proposals Gareth Southgate’s team would have to forfeit qualification games in Poland, San Marino and AlbaniaCredit: PA:Press Association

    There are no exemptions for elite sports stars coming from nations where quarantining in hotels is requiredCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    There would be no exemptions for Three Lions aces.
    Currently, the measures will apply to 33 countries and there are no exemptions for elite sports stars coming from nations where quarantining in hotels is required.
    But if the proposals were expanded under Labour’s plans, England’s World Cup qualification games in Poland, San Marino and Albania would have to be forfeited.

    Gareth Southgate’s team would be handed a 3-0 loss in each game, severely denting their chances of qualifying for Qatar 2022.
    If the games did go ahead, they’d risk the Premier League’s wrath as stars would be held for ten days in hotels on their return.
    The move would also throw the Euros, the Premier League, the Champions League, rugby’s Six Nations and the new Formula 1 season into chaos.
    MPs will vote on Labour’s proposal which lists one exemption to the blanket ban — for hauliers.

    Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said: ‘By quarantining all arrivals, we can help protect vaccines against new strains’Credit: PA:Press Association
    Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, Nick Thomas-Symonds said: “By quarantining all arrivals, we can help protect vaccines against new strains.”
    But the Premier League has worked hard to make teams Covid secure, with players often travelling in bubbles.
    A Tory Party spokesman said: “Labour’s plan to put 20,000 people a day in hotels is implausible.”
    An insider said: “All sports have the strictest covid protocols but if these measures were introduced British teams in Europe have a real headache over how to compete.
    “That in turn would have financial implication, as well as issues over future qualification.”
    The source added the measures would impact the “already truncated” season which needs to finished before the delayed Euros this summer – which would also be affected by the measures, as Wembley stadium hosts all three England group games, the semi-finals and final.
    Motor racing would also be affected, with the Formula 1 season set to start in weeks in Bahrain.
    Races in “red listed” Brazil and Abu Dhabi are taking place at the end of the year, when organisers hope restrictions have been lifted.

    The England Football team could miss out on next year’s World Cup due to Labour’s proposalsCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
    A Formula 1 spokesman said: “Last year we proved we could compete safely with over 80,000 tests and 0.1 per cent positives.
    “We employ over 40,000 both directly and indirectly through supply chains and have over 25,000 highly skilled engineers.
    “We cannot operate if we cannot travel and the elite sport exemption is quite simply keeping our sport and others going and saving jobs.”
    A Whitehall source said: “So long as we remain confident on public health grounds, we’d support players travelling to compete.
    “A blanket ban would effectively stop us playing in international competitions and be devastating for sports’ finances.
    “At various points Labour have tried to disrupt sport continuing through covid, whereas the government has done everything it can to keep it going safely”.

    Qatar are due to host the tournament in 2022

    A Labour spokesman said: “Labour’s proposals outlined do include scope for exemptions, we have asked the Government to provide all of the basis or the decisions around exemptions. 
    “Every effort should be made to allow elite international sport to continue, through quarantine exemption, although the key priority has to be against importing a strain of the virus that is resistant to the vaccine.”
    The Premier League declined to comment.

    Mourinho slams managers who tell stars to skip internationals
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    Paul Scholes faces neighbours’ fury as kids flout Covid rules with New Year’s party

    PAUL Scholes’ neighbours complained after his grown-up kids threw a new year’s fancy dress party with a gang of pals — breaching coronavirus rules.
    The Man United legend’s daughter Alicia, 19, put pics on social media.

    ⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

    Paul Scholes’ neighbours complained after his kids threw a new year’s fancy dress partyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    The former footballer’s daughter Alicia (far right) posed with eight palsCredit: INSTAGRAM/ALICIA SCHOLES

    Dressed as an angel, she posed with eight pals at Paul’s mansion in Tier 4 Oldham.
    Her brother Arron, 21, was also pictured alongside half a dozen pals.
    Paul was not in any of the snaps.

    His agent did not respond to a request for comment.

    19-year-old Alicia posted pictures on social mediaCredit: INSTAGRAM/ALICIA SCHOLES

    The party was held at Paul’s mansion in Tier 4 OldhamCredit: INSTAGRAM/ALICIA SCHOLES

    The party breached coronavirus rulesCredit: INSTAGRAM/ALICIA SCHOLES

    Man Utd legend Paul Scholes’ son Arron scores a screamer just like his old man for ninth-tier Chadderton
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    FA Cup first-round fixtures to go ahead as scheduled as Government allows 10 ‘non-elite’ clubs to play

    THIS weekend’s FA Cup first round will go ahead as scheduled – after Wembley chiefs got the green light from government.
    The new lockdown in operation from Thursday raised fears that the 10 “non-elite” clubs left in the competition might have to forfeit their games.

    The FA Cup will be allowed to continue despite the lockdownCredit: PA:Press Association

    Instead, the Government has confirmed to the FA that the matches can be played under “elite protocols” for Covid-19 safety.
    It means all 40 ties will take place, starting with Friday’s night’s clash between Harrogate and Skelmersdale.
    But the protocols that are in place means that all the matches must take place behind closed doors.
    Even so, the decision confirms a cash lifeline for a number of clubs.

    Eight of these ties will be screened by the BBC and BT Sport.
    This will include matches involving minnows FC United of Manchester, Tonbridge Angels, Maldon & Tiptree, Hampton & Richmond and Oxford City.
    Each club will get £32,500, in addition to prize money of £16,972 for the winners and £5,657 for the losers.
    There will also be screening fees worth £12,500 per club for a further eight ties being shown on BBC digital platforms.

    In addition the the FA Cup, fans will be pleased to know that the Premier League will carry on despite the lockdown.
    Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Oliver Dowden announced on his Twitter feed that elite sport would be allowed to continue during the shutdown.
    But fans are still not be allowed to come into stadiums and many will be forced to pay the controversial pay-per-view fee to watch their teams play.
    The fee hasn’t been popular with fans and Premier League bosses have come under increasing pressure to scrap it.
    Due to the pressure, clubs will review the £14.95 fee at a meeting later this week.

    Premier League matches will cost £14.95 on PPV Box Office channels with Man Utd and Chelsea games among first clashes More