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    Italy World Cup star Toto Schillaci has sparked fears for his wellbeing after being admitted to hospital

    ITALY World Cup star Toto Schillaci has sparked fears for his wellbeing after being admitted to hospital.The former Juventus striker hit six goals at Italia 90. He denied England a bronze-medal finish by scoring the Azzurri’s winner in the third-place match.Italy World Cup star Toto Schillaci has been admitted to hospitalCredit: GettySchillaci was taken to hospital after reportedly suffering from pneumoniaCredit: GettySchillaci denied England a bronze medal at the 1990 World CupCredit: AFPSchillaci, 59, was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022. He has since undergone two operations.And the 16-cap international was taken to the Civico hospital in his home city Palermo after reportedly suffering from pneumonia.His first wife Barbara, who he has remarried, has been the only person allowed to visit him.She told reporters: “There’s no fresh news, either negative or positive, about Toto. His situation is stationary.Read More on Football”I know how much he is in people’s hearts. I understand all the concern for him.”But I ask you to respect our private moment.”Schillaci, whose official name is Salvatore, won UEFA Cups with both Juve and Inter Milan.His family issued a statement on social media.Most read in FootballThey wrote: “Given the innumerable calls from media and the confused reports doing the rounds, we confirm that our beloved Toto is in a stable condition.”He is being continually looked after by a team of doctors, day and night. Stay strong, Toto.”Schillaci was little known outside Italy before the country staged the 1990 World Cup finals.But he went on to score against Austria, Czechoslovakia, Uruguay, the Republic of Ireland and Argentina before denying England in the third-place game in Bari. More

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    England could be forced to play Spain to earn automatic place at World Cup 2026 as they face horror draw

    ENGLAND may have to get past Euro 2024 conquerors Spain to earn an automatic place at the 2026 World Cup.The draw for Uefa’s qualifying campaign will take place in December.England could face their Euro 2024 heartbreakers Spain in World Cup qualificationCredit: ReutersEurope have 16 places in the expanded competition which will see 48 teams play in the USA, Canada and Mexico.But seeding for the 12 European qualifying groups will be determined by finishing positions in the next version of the Nations League, starting in September.After England’s fourth placed finish in the previous edition in 2022, the Three Lions were relegated to League B, where they face the Republic of Ireland, Greece and Finland.That means they cannot be top seeds, which will be the 12 best performing sides in League A.READ MORE ON ENGLANDIt means England could have to face Spain, Germany, France or Portugal in the smaller qualifying groups of four or five, when only the winners go through by right.The 12 group runners up will then join the four best Nations League teams that did not finish first or second in their groups in the play-off to find the final four qualifiers in March 2026.If England, as they should, win their Nations League group, they will be in a five-team group and begin the journey to the USA in March.Spain’s victory, coupled with Argentina’s triumph after a chaotic Copa America final against Colombia in Miami, raises the prospect of a meeting between teenage terror Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPictures of Messi with a newly-born Yamal surfaced last week.The former Barcelona superstar added the South American crown to his 2022 World Cup winners medal from a game which was delayed more than an hour by crowd trouble.Dejected England fans launch their long trek home to Britain after Three Lions’Messi’s night finished early through injury but he was on the sidelines to witness Lautaro Martinez score the winning goal in extra time.Argentina and Spain will be first and third when FIFA’s latest world rankings are released on Thursday.England will overtake both Brazil and Belgium to move into fourth place with France in second. More

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    Gareth Southgate’s greatest England wins and most shattering defeats in rollercoaster tenure with Three Lions

    GARETH SOUTHGATE’s rollercoaster spell as England boss has seen many twists and turns during his century of matches.The Euros final with Spain will hopefully be his crowning glory – and what a ride it has been.Gareth Southgate has reached a century of England matchesCredit: GettyHe and his waistcoat became national treasures back in 2018Credit: AFPSo far, he has been in charge for 101 games, with 61 wins under his belt and counting.Having taken over in late 2016, Southgate became a national hero – and style icon with his famous waistcoat – as he led the Three Lions to the 2018 World Cup semi-final.Three years later and he came with a penalty kick of becoming the first man since Sir Alf Ramsey in 1966 to lead England to glory.He guided our boys to the final of the European Championship, only to suffer penalty shootout heartbreak.READ MORE ON EURO 2024Any dreams of World Cup glory in 2022 came to an end in the quarters.But now it’s another Euros final, this time against Spain, in what many believe could be his last shot at securing silverware for the Three Lions.Here we take a look at his greatest wins and most crushing defeats at the helm:THE HIGHS…COLOMBIA 1-1 ENGLAND (3-4 ON PENS)This was the night that long-suffering supporters finally started to believe that it was coming home.Most read in Euro 2024Despite conceding a late equaliser, England held their nerve to advance to the quarter final of the World Cup 2018 on penalties.It was our first shootout victory for 22 years.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSPAIN 2-3 ENGLANDFollowing on from the World Cup, England won in Spain for the first time in 31 years with a brilliant Uefa Nations League victory.Southgate’s boys stunned the Seville crowd into silence with a thrilling performance that saw them lead 3-0 at the break thanks to a Raheem Sterling brace and Marcus Rashford.Although the hosts scored two after the break, the way the Three Lions tore La Roja apart excited every fan.The England squad celebrate after beating Colombia on penaltiesCredit: GettyRaheem Sterling fired England to a brilliant win in Spain in 2018Credit: GettyENGLAND 2-1 DENMARKSouthgate led England to their first major final in 55 years as they beat Denmark after extra-time in the Euro 2020 semi-final.Having fallen behind after half an hour, the Three Lions battled back to send it to extra-time courtesy of an own goal.Then it was captain Kane who converted a rebound after Kasper Schmeichel originally saved his penalty in extra-time to win it.Harry Kane fired England to a first final since 1966 at the last EurosCredit: AFPBukayo Saka was on target as England brushed past Senegal in 2022Credit: GettyENGLAND 3-0 SENEGALEngland had already blown Iran and Wales, 6-2 and 3-0 respectively, away in the World Cup 2022 group stages before they breezed past Senegal.The free-scoring Three Lions recorded another big win to set-up a mouthwatering quarter-final against France – what could go wrong?Declan Rice scored as England gained some revenge on Italy in March 2023Credit: APITALY 1-2 ENGLANDOn a night when Harry Kane became England’s all-time top scorer, the Three Lions recorded a first away win over Italy since 1961.It was the first game since their 2022 World Cup exit, and it ensured a perfect start to their Euro 2022 qualifying campaign.ENGLAND 2-1 NETHERLANDSThe nation doubted Southgate’s men in the semis of Euro 2024, but they responded with a barnstorming display.Xavi Simons opened the scoring for the Dutch but Harry Kane’s penalty drew us level.And Ollie Watkins slotted in a brilliant winner in injury time to see the Three Lions into their second successive Euros final.England’s Ollie Watkins scores the winnerCredit: ReutersMeet England’s Euro 2024 WagsEngland Wags range from childhood sweethearts to recently blossoming love stories.Katie Goodland (Harry Kane’s wife)The fitness instructor has been married to the England captain since 2019 and joined him in Germany with their four children after he joined Bayern Munich.Laura Celia Valk (Jude Bellingham’s girlfriend)The stunning Dutch model, 25, has more than half a million Instagram followers and is said to be absolutely smitten with the Real Madrid star.Rebecca Cooke (Phil Foden’s girlfriend)Foden’s childhood sweetheart and the mother of his two kids tends to keep out of the spotlight, but is a regular at England games.Dani Dyer (Jarrod Bowen’s girlfriend)England’s most famous Wag, former Love Island winner and daughter of Eastenders’ Danny Dyer.Iris Law (Trent Alexander-Arnold’s girlfriend)Dani Dyer isn’t the only actor’s daughter dating an England star. Iris’ dad is Hollywood legend Jude Law.Megan Davison (Jordan Pickford’s wife)Megan has been with Pickford since he was 14 years old. The couple married in 2022 and have one son.Olivia Naylor (John Stones’ girlfriend)The 33-year-old former beautician has stepped back from her role after giving birth to a baby son.Read more about the Wags supporting England at Euro 2024 hereAND THE LOWS…CROATIA 2-1 ENGLANDHaving led England to a first World Cup semi-final since 1990, Southgate men made a dream start as Kieran Trippier put them ahead in the early exchanges.But Ivan Perisic equalised as the Croats began to take control.Some of Southgate’s substitutions were then questioned after his team were beaten in extra-time, although many gave him the benefit of the doubt as he returned a hero.Mario Mandzukic celebrates the goal that ended England’s 2018 World Cup dreamCredit: GettyItaly beat England on penalties at Wembley to be crowned European championsCredit: AFPITALY 1-1 ENGLAND (3-2 PENS)Will probably never get a better chance to have secured a trophy for the Three Lions than this final of the last European Championship.Luke Shaw gave us the lead after just seconds, but just like against Croatia three years earlier, we sat back and let our rivals back into it.Leonardo Bonucci duly equalised in the second half and the game eventually went to penalties.The unfortunate Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were all brought on to take a spot-kick, but the brave trio all missed as the Azzurri broke our hearts to take the prize.ENGLAND 0-4 HUNGARYA year on from the Euros and it was utter embarrassment for Southgate in this Nations League game at Molineux.It was our biggest home defeat since 1928 and the result led to England being relegated from the top group of the Nations League and back to one that contained the Republic of Ireland, Finland and Greece.Jude Bellingham and Marc Guehi looked stunned after Hungary thrashed EnglandCredit: GettyHarry Kane fired a penalty over the bar as France beat England 2-1 in QatarCredit: PAENGLAND 1-2 FRANCEAnother case of what could have been.Having been free-scoring throughout Qatar 2022, many fancied us to go all the way at the World Cup despite taking on the holders in the quarters.We fought back from going behind to level through Kane and many believe that France were then there for the taking had Southgate deployed a more attacking approach.READ MORE SUN STORIESInstead, they seemed content with what they had until Olivier Giroud pounced 12 minutes from time to win it.But there was still one more twist of the knife for England as the usually-reliable Kane skied a late penalty over the bar uncharacteristically as we crashed out.Euro 2024 final stadium is home to English football’s most shameful episodeGARETH SOUTHGATE and his players will walk in the footsteps of sporting infamy on Sunday.And they also have the chance to wipe out the memories of English football’s most shameful episode by replacing it with glorious triumph.For many, the Olympiastadion will always be the place where Jesse Owens humiliated Adolf Hitler in his own backyard.But the 1936 Olympics WERE used by the Nazis as pure propaganda, as a statement about the supposed supremacy of the “Aryan race”.The ghosts of those Games still flit between the towers and the colosseum-style architecture.Fans walking in on Sunday will see the plinth where the Olympic cauldron was lit by Fritz Schilgen – handpicked by propagandist film-maker Leni Riefenstahl – still there, high in the stands above one goal.And two years later, when the FA disgracefully ordered England’s players to raise their arm in the Nazi salute before beating Germany in a friendly, it seemed that the British state was implicitly accepting Hitler’s authority and power.The Three Lions have the opportunity to right that ancient wrong yet nothing can detract from the stadium’s place in the pantheon of sport’s darkest hours.Read the full story HERE. 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    Forgotten Chelsea flop lashes out and throws boots away after being subbed in World Cup qualifier

    CHELSEA flop Hakim Ziyech threw his boots on the floor in a huge tantrum after being substituted. The attacking midfielder was in action for Morocco in a 2-1 World Cup qualification win over Zambia. Hakim Ziyech raged after being subbed off during Morocco’s clash against ZambiaThe Chelsea ace trudged off the pitch and threw his boots on the floorHe has been slammed by fansZiyech opened the scoring from the spot after six minutes but was subbed off an hour later.And the 31-year-old reacted furiously to being replaced by Soufiane Rahimi.Ziyech threw his arms into the air in anger and trudged off the pitch.Team-mates like former Wolves star Romain Saiss went in for a hug but were brushed aside.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLZiyech then made another frustrated gesture towards manager Walid Regragui before slumping into his seat in the dugout.But his strop did not stop there as he took off his boots and slammed them on the floor.Fans hit out at his antics, with one saying: “Ziyech is such a manchild.”Another added: “Spoilt kid.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSZiyech is still on the books of Chelsea after a season-long loan at Galatasaray.The Turkish giants reportedly have the option to make the deal permanent.Ziyech has played 107 times for Chelsea and scored 14 goals since his reported £34million move from Ajax in 2020.He previously retired from international duty with Morocco after falling out with previous boss Vahid Halilhodzic, who claimed the star faked injury to miss a game.But Ziyech reversed his decision following the appointment of Regragui and helped fire them to the World Cup semi-final in 2022.Hakim Ziyech has been on loan at GalatasarayCredit: Getty More

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    Cesar Lusi Menotti dies aged 85: Ex-Barcelona & Argentina manager who led his country to World Cup win in 1978 has died

    LEGENDARY former Argentina and Barcelona manager Cesar Luis Menotti has died aged 85.The iconic gaffer, who led his country to their first ever World Cup win in 1978, had been in hospital for a month with severe anemia.Cesar Luis Menotti blended tactics, philosophy and politics to lead Argentina to the World Cup in 1978Credit: PA:Empics SportFormer Argentina football team coach Cesar Luis Menotti in 2019Credit: AFPMenotti, who would smoke throughout matches, chats to Argentina captain Daniel Passarella in 1980Credit: GettyThe former world champion coach speaking with Argentina legend Lionel Messi (right) in 2019Credit: GettyThe Rosario-born tactician guided Argentina to a 3-1 victory over the Netherlands, as extra-time goals from tournament top scorer Mario Kempes and team-mate Daniel Bertoni sealed the win 46 years ago.The Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed his death today in a statement.It read: “The Argentine Football Association regrets to report with great sadness the death of Cesar Luis Menotti, current Director of National Teams and former World Champion coach of Argentina.”Last month, Menotti was admitted to hospital with severe anemia and underwent surgery for phlebitis. Read More in FootballMenotti was the mastermind behind Argentina’s first ever global triumph as they got their hands on the the most iconic trophy in football.As the manager of La Albiceleste, he took a team that had limped out of the 1974 World Cup in Germany and turned them into world beaters.Tributes have since poured in for the World Cup winning coach.President of the AFA, Chiqui Tapia, posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Dear Flaco, it is an immense pain to have to say goodbye to you. You left us a lot during your time in the national team and in football.Most read in Football”Without a doubt, your passage to immortality will be with the best memories of all of us who love the round. “I send a warm hug on behalf of myself and all of Argentine Football to all of Cesar’s family at this moment. See you always dear friend!”Argentina’s current president, Javier Milei, also said: “RIP. Deep pain for the departure of the leader of a group that has given one of the greatest joys to the country. “Although I adhere to another school, it would be foolish to deny the contribution of César Luis Menotti. Goodbye Flaco.”There was also a tribute to Menotti during Sunday’s League Cup final in Argentina by Velez Sarsfield and Estudiantes. A minute’s silence was held at half-time, with all invovled paying their respects.A tall, slender figure on the sidelines Menotti would famously smoke throughout matches.The talented manager also enjoyed spells as the coach of Barcelona, Boca Juniors, Independiente, River Plate and Atletico Madrid to name but a few.Menotti took charge of the Mexican national team in the early 1990s, rebuilding the side after their disqualification from the 1990 World CupA striker in his playing days, Menotti played in Argentina with Rosario Central, Racing Club, Boca Juniors. He later joined the New York Generals before playing for Santos and Juventus in Brazil.Argentina have won the prestigious World Cup trophy twice since Menotti managed them to success in 1978.They triumphed again in 1986 in Mexico with the iconic Diego Maradona playing a starring role in the tournament.In 2022, footballing legend Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to lift the most prestigious trophy of all for a third time.READ MORE SUN STORIESLa Albiceleste defeated France in one of the greatest World Cup finals of all time.Argentina has also been runner-up three times: in 1930, 1990 and 2014.Menotti, in charge of a match at the Nou Camp while at Barcelona in 1984 More

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    Premier League star leaves Syria camp hours before World Cup qualifier and first match after row over his ‘demands’

    MAHMOUD DAHOUD left Syria’s international camp just hours before a World Cup qualifier.It came following an alleged row over “demands”, with the midfielder only confirming a swap of international allegiance from Germany to Syria earlier this month.Mahmoud Dahoud left Syria’s camp before his debut over a row over ‘demands’Credit: RexDahoud is on loan to Bundesliga side Stuttgart from Brighton.The 28-year-old played twice for Germany’s senior team and even won the Under-21 European Championships with them before he was allowed to switch nation.However, things didn’t go as planned ahead what would have been his Syria international debut as Dahoud ended up leaving the team camp ahead of a match against Myanmar.A statement from the Syrian FA said: “This morning, Mahmoud Dahoud left our national team camp at Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia, due to our inability to meet his demands conveyed to us by his agent, which will affect the national team.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFortunately for the team they were able to get by, beating Myanmar 7-0.It means Dahoud will have to wait to make his debut, possibly until June 6 when the Nosour Qasioun (Eagles of Qasioun) take on North Korea.After leaving camp Dahoud also released a statement on the matter.He said in a social media post: “As an experienced football professional… every player should be able to perform at his best to honour his country, his flag and his national team.Most read in Football”To do this, every player should be put in the best possible conditions, especially on the pitch. CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”Top level football works with specific principles which need to be known, respected and fulfilled.”When you don’t feel these principles and conditions are matched and the promises made are not fulfilled, you need to step back. Young stars set to shine at Euro 2024″If you’re not allowed to be a solution, at least you don’t have to be part of the problem.”Dahoud only played 14 games for the Seagulls before he returned on loan to Germany.Fifa rules for player international team switches say a player cannot switch nations if they have played more than three games for the nation they want to switch from.These appearances need to have also come before the age of 21 for the switch to be allowed. SunSport looked at seven England stars who remain eligible to switch to another nation, including Kobbie Mainoo and Anthony Gordon.Dahoud released a statement on the matter to his social media pagesCredit: https://www.instagram.com/stories/modahoud8/?hl=en More

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    Captain resigns and retires after ‘humiliating’ World Cup qualifier and tells wife ‘I really cannot accept it’

    CHINA’S national team captain has retired from international duty after his country’s “humiliating” draw with Singapore.Zhang Linpeng threw in the towel after China could only muster a 2-2 stalemate in yesterday’s World Cup qualifier.China captain Zhang Linpeng has retired from national team dutyCredit: AlamyThe 34-year-old defender currently plays for Chinese Super League side Shanghai Port, having previously spent 11 years with rivals Guangzhou Evergrande.Zhang had featured 105 times for China ever since his debut in 2009, with World Cup winner and ex-boss Marcelo Lippi previously labelling him the nation’s “best footballer.”But his extraordinary international career is now at an end.China were expected to easily triumph over Singapore on Thursday.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThere are 70 places between the pair in Fifa’s world rankings, with China currently 88th.And things appeared to be going smoothly for the world’s third-biggest country as they raced into a two-goal lead.But Singapore pulled a goal back in the second half before levelling things in the 81st minute.And during the post-match press conference, Zhang announced that not only was he stepping down as China’s captain due to the “humiliating” result, he was also retiring from international duty for good.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERHe said: “I thought about it for a long while, I think it’s time to end my national team career.“We could not even beat the Singapore team. I think it’s unacceptable and I find it humiliating.”Oscar shows off his best moves for Shanghai SIPG in the Chinese Super League Meanwhile, Chinese state media reported that Zhang’s wife posted a message he sent her to social media.It read: “I really feel like I cannot do any better than this anymore.“Every day I am really putting in 100 per cent to 200 per cent effort, but this result, I really cannot accept it, so let’s just end it here.”China will now look to avenge their draw when they play Singapore in Tianjin next week.China national team results in 2024The games that led to Zhang’s shock retirement…

    China 1 Hong Kong 2
    China 0 Tajikistan 0
    Lebanon 0 China 0
    Qatar 1 China 0
    Singapore 2 China 2 More

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    Fifa announce brand new competition is set to start in days – but fans have probably never heard of it

    FIFA have announced a brand-new international competition that is set to start in just days.The Fifa Series will see international teams from different federations take each other on during the next international break.Andorra will be one of the teams involved in the Fifa SeriesCredit: GettyWhat makes the matches different is that the teams would not usually face each other as they would be unlikely to qualify for a major tournament or face each other in qualifiers. The friendlies will also take part in one host nation with Fifa hoping that it will “allow more international football interaction, making a concrete contribution to global football development”.The event will be piloted later this month with 20 teams being placed into five different groups of four.Two groups will play in Saudi Arabia, while one will be each of Algeria, Azerbaijan and Sri Lanka.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThree teams from Uefa will be involved as Andorra takes on Algeria, Bolivia and South Africa.Whereas Azerbaijan will host Bulgaria, Mongolia and Tanzania.Fans will be keen to see how the international minnows match up against each other.It will also be interesting to see sides like Andorra play with more chances of picking up a win. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFifa president Gianni Infantino said: “The Fifa Series is a really positive step forward for national-team football at global level.”Our member associations have been telling us for a long time now of their desire to test themselves against their counterparts from all around the world.Fifa World Cup 2026 final stadium revealed as raging fans say it was ‘the worst possible option’”And now they can do so within the current Men’s International Match Calendar.”More meaningful matches will enable far more valuable footballing interaction for players, teams and fans, and will make a concrete contribution to the development of the game.”The first matches for the tournament kick off on March 21.In the opening round, fans will be able to see the likes of South Africa vs Andorra, Guinea vs Vanuatu and Cape Verde vs Guyana.Full line-up for Fifa SeriesHere is a look at the first set of groups for Fifa Series
    Fifa Series: Algeria

    Algeria (CAF)
    Andorra (UEFA)
    Bolivia (CONMEBOL)
    South Africa (CAF)

    Fifa Series: Azerbaijan

    Azerbaijan (UEFA)
    Bulgaria (UEFA)
    Mongolia (AFC)
    Tanzania (CAF)

    Fifa Series: Saudi Arabia A

    Cabo Verde (CAF)
    Cambodia (AFC)
    Equatorial Guinea (CAF)
    Guyana (Concacaf)

    Fifa Series: Saudi Arabia B 

    Bermuda (Concacaf)
    Brunei Darussalam (AFC)
    Guinea (CAF)
    Vanuatu (OFC)

    Fifa Series: Sri Lanka

    Bhutan (AFC)
    Central African Republic (CAF)
    Papua New Guinea (OFC)
    Sri Lanka (AFC) More