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      Kylian Mbappe REFUSES to appear in France team photo as image rights row threatens to disrupt World Cup campaign

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE has refused to appear in France’s latest team photo.His omission is amid a row over his image rights which threatens to disrupt Didier Deschamps’ World Cup campaign.
      Kylian Mbappe says he will not take part in France’s latest team photo amid an image rights rowCredit: AFP
      The defending champions are currently preparing for upcoming Nations League matches again Austria and Denmark this month.
      Tomorrow, the team is due to have a group photo at their Clairefontaine training base.
      Other sponsorship activities will also take place ahead of November’s World Cup group stage opener against Australia.
      But Mbappe is not taking part due to a row over his image rights.
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      ESPN claims the Paris Saint-Germain star, 23, does not want to endorse several brands – including betting and fast food outlets.
      Instead, he hopes to have a say on future sponsors with French footballers.
      And after refusing to take part in March’s activities, Mbappe insists he will continue to stay away from France’s latest photoshoots.
      Mbappe said in a statement: “I have decided to not take part in the photoshoot after the French federation refusal to change the image rights agreement with the players.
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      “My representatives and I fully regret that no agreement could be reached, as asked, before the World Cup.”
      French FA president Noel Le Graet is expected to meet players shortly to discuss the issues and Mbappe’s concerns.
      He already met with the player’s mother, Fayza Lamari, in June to discuss potential changes.
      And it’s claimed Mbappe was led to believe things would be different ahead of the World Cup.
      But based on the striker’s statement and refusal to participate, those changes have not come to fruition. More

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      Italy vs England: Live stream FREE, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for HUGE Nations League clash

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      ENGLAND return to Nations League action THIS FRIDAY with a tough Italian hurdle to overcome in Milan.The Three Lions remain determined to get revenge over the heartbreak Italy put them through in the Euro 2020 final.
      Italy pipped England to the Euro 2020 trophy via the penalty shoot-out routeCredit: Getty
      England were shockingly hammered 4-0 by Hungary in JuneCredit: Getty
      And three points by a healthy score-line would accomplish that as it would see gli Azzurri temporarily drop to the bottom of Group 3.
      However, Gareth Southgate’s men are on a horrid run of form which includes losing 4-0 to Hungary in the previous international break.
      But the English players will be eager to bounce back with the 2022 Qatar World Cup only a couple of months away.
      What time does Italy vs England kick off?

      Italy will go into footballing battle with England on Friday, September 23.
      It is scheduled to kick off at 7:45pm UK time – 8:45pm local time.
      San Siro in Milan, Italy is the allocated arena for this mouth-watering match and it can host 80,018 supporters.
      England were booed off when Italy held them to a draw last time out at Molineux Stadium in June.

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      What TV channel is Italy vs England on and can I live stream it?

      Italy vs England will be broadcasted LIVE on Channel 4 in the UK.
      Pre-match build up is scheduled to commence from 7pm UK time – 45 minutes before kick-off.
      Viewers in the UK also have the option to stream the entire action live on the Channel 4 website or All 4 app.

      Can I watch Italy vs England for FREE?
      Yes! All UK citizens who hold a valid TV license can watch the match between Italy and England for FREE.
      Team news
      Italy’s full squad for Nations League fixtures:
      Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), Alex Meret (Napoli), Ivan Provedel (Lazio), Guglielmo Vicario (Empoli)
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      Defenders: Francesco Acerbi (Inter), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Emerson Palmieri (West Ham), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Luiz Felipe (Real Betis), Pasquale Mazzocchi (Salernitana), Rafael Toloi (Atalanta)
      Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Jorginho (Chelsea), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma), Tommaso Pobega (Milan), Sandro Tonali (Milan), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain);
      Forwards: Matteo Cancellieri (Lazio), Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds), Vincenzo Grifo (Friburgo), Ciro Immobile (Lazio), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Gianluca Scamacca (West Ham), Alessio Zerbin (Napoli).
      England’s full squad for Nations League fixtures:
      Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Nottingham Forest) Nick Pope (Newcastle), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal).
      Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Everton), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).
      Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City) – OUT with shoulder injury, Declan Rice (West Ham), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton).
      Forwards: Tammy Abraham (Roma), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Ivan Toney (Brentford).
      Latest odds

      Italy to win 7/4
      Draw 21/10
      England to win 13/8

      *Odds courtesy of Betfair are correct at time of publication More

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      Man City star Kalvin Phillips to have surgery on injured shoulder putting World Cup dream with England in doubt

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      PEP GUARDIOLA says Kalvin Phillips has no choice but to have surgery on his shoulder problem – but believes his midfielder can be ready for the World Cup.The £45 million midfielder did not feature in the 20-man squad for the 3-0 win at Wolves on Saturday.
      Three Lions’ midfielder Kalvin Phillips faces surgery after his shoulder popped out ‘three or four times’ with Manchester CityCredit: Getty
      And his club boss has confirmed there is no way the former Leeds man can meet up with the England squad this week.
      The latest setback will come as a blow to Gareth Southgate as one of his key men has barely played any football this season.
      Guardiola revealed the shoulder has popped out ‘three or four times’ and going under the knife now seems the only option.
      The City boss said: “It’s a problem with the shoulder again and maybe he needs surgery in the next days.
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      “He won’t go with England this time, no way.
      “I am not a doctor but in a good way he can be at the World Cup, of course.
      “The doctor says the only solution right now is to do what we have to do.
      “Every time he’s out because of this and the doctors say if it’s three or four times out then the only solution is to have surgery.”
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      Phillips has only seen 14 minutes of action since he joined City – spread across three appearances.
      And he is now in a race to be ready for the start of the tournament in just two months time.
      By the time the international break is over, there will only be three weeks until Southgate names his squad for Qatar.
      When it was put to Guardiola that it had been a frustrating start for Phillips, he said: “Absolutely – for us as well.
      “We need him because Rodri cannot play all the games. Kalvin came to fight for that position and sometimes you need two holding midfielders to be more defensive.
      “But I think it will be a bit longer because I think he needs surgery.” More

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      Why Canada are the ONLY team at the 2022 World Cup not to have a new kit, leaving proud stars fuming

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      CANADA face being the only World Cup team without a new kit.And some stars reckon it’s taken a touch of gloss off just the country’s second ever appearance at the finals.
      Canada’s best-known player is rising Bayern star Alphonso DaviesCredit: Getty
      Lille’s Jonathan David is another ace who could be denied a new kit for QatarCredit: AFP
      Bayern big-name Alphonso Davies is among those who can expect only new SHORTS in Qatar this winter.
      It’s blamed mainly on kit supplier Nike, and even Canada itself, not planning on success for the men’s team – unlike the women’s.
      Nike admitted Canada’s shirt will remain the same after The Athletic investigated the strange situation.
      And their London-born defender Sam Adekugbe told the sports website: “I’m not a fan of it, to be honest.
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      “I just feel like every team should get a new kit for the World Cup because it’s a symbolic event. 
      “I don’t hate it, but I would have liked to have gotten a new kit, just because it’s something to cherish.”
      Ex-Brighton loanee Adekjube added: “No one really believed in us. I don’t think Canada believed.”
      New kits for international teams can take two to three years to develop. 
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      And Nike said: “Canada Soccer is on a different kit development cycle.”
      It means ex-Vancouver Whitecaps ace Davies, Lille striker Jonathan David and Co won’t get a special kit for Canada’s first trip to the finals since 1986.
      Canada Soccer general secretary Earl Cochrane is frustrated but sympathetic about he failure to provide new gear.
      He told The Athletic: “As I understand it, the requirement to make those types of changes is a multi-year process.
      “I don’t know why those conversations didn’t happen, or if they were even asked. 
      Bayern Munich midfielder Alphonso Davies and his Canada team-mates face being the only team in Qatar this winter without a new kitCredit: AFP
      “I just know that when we qualified, the ability to turn around a specific jersey hadn’t been contemplated at that time.”
      But Canada’s English coach John Herdman has insisted Canada is a “legit football country” and can be a “powerhouse”.
      After reaching the finals, the former boss of the New Zealand and Canada women’s team said: “I think this country never believed in us because we’ve given them nothing to believe in. They believe now.
      “This is the time for everyone to get behind football and unite because we can be a powerhouse.” More

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      Senegal star Keita Balde set to miss World Cup after being handed worldwide ban for violating anti-doping protocol

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      SENEGAL star Keita Balde is set to miss the World Cup after being handed a 90-day ban for breaking anti-doping protocol.Balde, 27, is suspended until December 5 – with the group stages of the World Cup set to take place before that date.
      Keita Balde has been banned despite returning a negative testCredit: Getty
      The Spartak Moscow star was found to be in breach of protocol surrounding a drug test he gave while playing for Cagliari.
      After featuring for the Serie A side in a 5-1 defeat to Udinese in April Balde was called to give a test.
      It returned a negative result but Balde broke protocol and has subsequently been suspended by the Italian National Anti-Doping Court.
      And according to Fifa rules, that ban must be upheld by the Russian Football Union.
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      Unfortunately for Balde the ban begins now so he is set to miss the group stages of the World Cup.
      That means a call-up to the squad is unlikely, although the forward can return to training 22 days before the end of his ban.
      Keita is not the only one at risk of missing out in Qatar, with Ecuador waiting to find out if they will be kicked out over the Byron Castillo scandal.
      The world governing body are investigating whether the right-back, who plays for Mexican side Leon, was born in Ecuador or in Colombia.
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      Castillo has 10 caps for Ecuador and helped them reach the World Cup finals in Qatar this winter.
      But the Daily Mail claims it has an audio recording from four years ago of Castillo giving his name as the one matching his alleged Colombian birth certificate.
      Castillo also says he was born THREE years earlier than the age on his Ecuadorian birth certificate. More

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      EFL and National League clubs to be allowed to call off matches if they clash with England or Wales’ World Cup fixtures

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      EFL and National League clubs will be allowed to call off matches if they clash with England and Wales’ World Cup games.A full schedule of fixtures is planned over the weekend of December 3 — when the Home Nations could be playing in the last 16 in Qatar.
      EFL and National League clubs will be allowed to call off matches if they coincide with England or Wales games at the World CupCredit: Reuters
      Gareth Southgate is aiming to lead England to glory in QatarCredit: Reuters
      Rob Page has been handed a new contract after guiding Wales to the World CupCredit: Alamy
      EFL and National League bosses both said clubs can decide whether they rearrange, though it is possible a collective decision could be made.
      England and Wales are in Group B with Iran and the USA — and feasibly both teams could progress.
      The top two to qualify will face rivals from Group A.
      That World Cup group is made up of hosts Qatar, Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands, Sadio Mane’s Senegal and Ecuador.
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      Wrexham are due to visit York in the National League on the Saturday.
      But the Welsh side will likely postpone if Robert Page’s Dragons are in a first World Cup knockout game for 64 years.
      Then the next Saturday night could also see England or Wales play in the quarter-finals — hours after domestic games have finished.
      Argentina and France are both possible opponents for that one.
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      Although the leagues say they will expect teams to fulfil fixtures that day.
      England kick off their campaign against Iran on the opening day of the tournament, while Wales face the USA on the same day.
      The Three Lions take on the Dragons in their final group game. More

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      Trent Alexander-Arnold will struggle to make England squad for World Cup due to defensive frailties, claims Danny Mills

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      TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD will struggle to make the plane to the World Cup, according to ex-England star Danny Mills.Gareth Southgate named a 28-man squad for the Nations League matches against Italy and Germany.
      Danny Mills reckons Trent Alexander-Arnold could be without a seat on the plane to QatarCredit: Getty
      Alexander-Arnold doesn’t make Mills’ squadCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      But the Three Lions boss can take just 26 to Qatar and Mills thinks Liverpool star Alexander-Arnold may miss out.
      Mills, who was England’s right-back in the 2002 World Cup, said: “There is a real possibility that he doesn’t make the squad.
      “I’ve always been concerned about his defensive ability and that has really come to the fore.
      “When on form, going forward he’s exceptional. But that papers over the cracks a bit, especially at Liverpool.
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      “You accept his defensive frailty because of what he gives you going forward. But this isn’t about getting out of the group in Qatar.
      “This is about the last 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, big games against very good teams.
      “We’ve seen that Trent’s defensive capabilities are not always there.”
      Alexander-Arnold’s problem is the number of rivals for a place on the right side of defence, whether Southgate goes for a back three or a four.
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      Mills added: “As an out and out right-back, Kyle Walker is way better, Kieran Trippier is better. And so is Reece James. That’s three right-backs and do you need to take four? I don’t think you do.
      “James can play wing-back, so can Walker if he needs to.
      “Trippier played wing-back at the World Cup four years ago in Russia.
      “Everyone goes on about Trent’s delivery in the final third but look at Trippier’s and his set-pieces.
      “It’s a toss of the coin between Trent and Trippier for second wing-back.
      “And Trippier can play in other positions that Trent can’t.
      “If it was today, I would take Walker, Trippier and James. I think that gives you ample cover and plenty of options.”
      But Southgate does not have the same embarrassment of riches in the rest of his defence. 
      Euro 2020 stars Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are in the squad to face Italy on Friday and the Germans at Wembley three days later, despite both being dropped by Manchester United.
      Ben Chilwell is the only other recognised left-back in the party but is only just back from injury and has been in and out of Chelsea’s team.
      Mills, who starred in all five games when England reached the quarter-finals before losing to Brazil in 2002, said: “Shaw and Maguire aren’t playing for United but what are the options?
      “Gareth says he will pick players on form but you also need players you know and trust and you know can work in the environment. Those players are still in there because of that.
      “There are just two months to go. That’s why he has no choice but to revert to those he knows.
      “A big question will be how fit is Harry Maguire?
      “Gareth might well give him a game and a half next week to keep his levels up.
      “Come Qatar he needs a fit Harry Maguire because his options are limited.”
      Mills is also concerned that midfielder Kalvin Phillips — another Euro 2020 stalwart — has “barely had a kick” since joining Manchester City.
      Southgate at least has more choices up front and is taking the chance to assess if Brentford’s Ivan Toney has what it takes to be Harry Kane’s understudy — or even partner — up front.
      But, overall, Mills fears England will have trouble matching the performances in the last two major tournaments if their first 11 are not fit and firing in November.
      The talkSPORT and Sky Sports pundit added: “England’s best 11 players, all in good form, have a great chance to go deep in the tournament, possibly win it.
      “If you have two or three out of that, you are weaker. That is the problem.
      “If Harry Kane is out, where do you go from there?
      “How many of the first 11 are in good form and not injured right now? Not many.
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      “Gareth took us within a penalty of winning the Euros. He’s done an incredible job.
      “But are we the second best team in Europe? Probably not. We need to be realistic.”
      Gareth Southgate is aiming to lead England to World Cup glory later this yearCredit: PA More

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      David Brooks suffers injury setback in bid to play for Wales at World Cup as Davies pulls out of Nations League matches

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      DAVID BROOKS has suffered an injury setback in his courageous bid to play at the World Cup.The Wales star, 25, made a comeback from cancer treatment by playing for Bournemouth’s Under-21s last month.
      Wales will give David Brooks as much time as possible to recover and prove his fitness in time for the World CupCredit: Getty
      Tottenham defender Ben Davies faces missing two internationals through injuryCredit: Getty
      But the midfielder, who revealed he was cancer-free in May after being diagnosed with stage two Hodgkin lymphoma, tweaked a hamstring on his return against Brentford B.
      Wales will play a waiting game to see if Brooks recovers but his hopes of making the Qatar squad are fading.
      Wales boss Robert Page said: “We have to be sympathetic with him and give him as much opportunity to fully recover and be a part of the World Cup squad.
      “We are in constant contact. Let’s wait and see what happens between now and then.
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      “There’s a lot of minutes to be played and a lot of games to play.”
      Cherries’ interim boss Gary O’Neil confirmed: “David suffered a slight setback in the development squad game.
      “He had some pain in his hamstring.
      “It’s not unusual for any player who has been off the grass long-term.
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      “I’m not surprised it’s happened but I’m disappointed for him.”
      Wales are also reeling from Ben Davies picking up a knee injury.
      The Tottenham defender, 29, is believed to have sustained a hairline fracture to the bone just underneath his knee.
      It saw him miss Spurs’ 6-2 home win over Leicester on Saturday and rules him out of Wales’ Nations League clashes with Belgium and Poland next week.
      Boss Antonio Conte revealed Davies played with the problem during Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat against Sporting Lisbon.
      The Italian told Sky Sports: “He had an injury in his knee in the game against Sporting Lisbon and he played with this injury.
      “(It’s) not a serious injury, I think after the international break because with the national team he is not available.
      “But I think after the international break he will be available for us.”
      Davies now faces a race to be fit in time for the North London derby at Arsenal on October 1. More