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      Solly March signs new two-and-a-half-year contract at Brighton after red-hot 2022-23 to put England snub behind him

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      SOLLY MARCH has capped a stellar start to 2023 by signing a new two-and-a-half year deal at Brighton.March may have been snubbed by Gareth Southgate this week but the Seagulls winger is in the form of his life under Roberto De Zerbi, with seven goals since the World Cup.
      Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, is overjoyed at Solly March signing a new dealCredit: Brighton & Hove Albion FC via Instagram / @sollymarch
      The 28-year-old had not scored a Premier League goal before the break but has been a key cog in Brighton’s push for Europe ever since.
      This new deal is a two-year extension on his previous contract at The Amex, with the club holding the option of an additional year to keep him at the club until 2027.
      March is the latest Seagulls star to agree fresh terms this year, with Moises Caicedo committing to a new long term deal just a month after publicly asking to leave while Adam Lallana also earned a new deal.
      Boss De Zerbi said: “It’s great news, he deserves this new contract.
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      “We are happy for him. I am happy for him because he is my player and I want the great players to stay with me.
      “If you want to improve the squad we have to start with the big players we already have.
      “Lallana, Mac Allister, Caicedo and March, they are very big players for us and I am really pleased for them and for me.”
      Asked about the England snub for March and teammate Lewis Dunk, De Zerbi added: “It’s not my work.
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      “I respect the coach of the national team.
      “England have many good players and it’s not my place to say.
      “I can give you my opinion as a coach, I love Solly March, Danny Welbeck and Dunk.”
      “In my first XI I can decide, but in the international teams, it’s not my work.” More

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      Man Utd star Alejandro Garnacho rejects chance to switch national allegiance from Argentina

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      MANCHESTER UNITED star Alejandro Garnacho has officially snubbed Spain to play for Argentina.The 18-year-old has burst onto the scene at Old Trafford this term and is currently negotiating a new long-term contract.
      Man Utd star Alejandro Garnacho, pictured training with Argentina, has declared his international allegianceCredit: Getty
      The winger, who boss Erik ten Hag has confirmed will be sidelined long-term with an ankle injury, has also had things to sort regarding his international future.
      Garnacho was born in Madrid and has represented Spain at youth level but qualifies for Lionel Scaloni’s World Cup winners due to his mother being born in Argentina.
      He initially received a call-up to the South American country’s senior squad for two World Cup qualifiers a year ago but did not make an appearance in either game.
      After scoring four goals in four caps for their U20s to help them win the 2022 Maurice Revello Tournament he then missed out on the squad for Qatar in November.
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      That allegedly led to Spain getting back in touch with him to try and persuade him to switch his allegiance – but Garnacho allegedly politely declined.
      He was then included in the Argentina squad for their upcoming friendlies with Panama and Curacao only for the blow he suffered against Southampton on Sunday to rule him out.
      Bernardo Romeo, coordinator of Argentina’s youth teams, was the one to reveal to publication Ole that the United ace “had been called by the coordinator of Spain’s teams”.
      He said: “Alejandro Garnacho was very clear, he told me that he answered him out of respect, but he has decided to play for Argentina.”
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      Romero added that the attacker “is very convinced of playing for the Argentine National Team. You enter the house and he has all the photos with Messi.”
      Garnacho, who moved to Old Trafford from Atletico Madrid in October 2020, said after he pulled out of the latest Argentina squad: “It is difficult to put into words how I feel at this moment.
      “I am disappointed to miss the opportunity to be with my teammates from the Argentine national team, in what would have been a great moment of pride for me and my family.” More

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      Wales consider shock reunion with recently departed England backroom staff member

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      WALES are weighing up a return for psychologist Ian Mitchell.SunSport revealed on Wednesday that Mitchell has left his post as the Football Association’s head of performance and psychology.
      Ian Mitchell (left) has had successful spells with both Wales and England under Chris Coleman and Gareth Southgate
      Dragons boss Robert Page stated earlier this year that he was keen to bring a psychologist on board to provide an extra edge in the post-Gareth Bale era.
      Wales have not had one since Mitchell left for the FA in February 2018 after becoming a key figure in Chris Coleman’s set-up which included the memorable run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals.
      Highly-rated Mitchell was popular among Football Association of Wales staff and he will not be short of offers following his departure from Gareth Southgate’s backroom staff.
      Wales are now on red alert after the development that his services have become available.
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      Page said in January: “I want to bring in a full-time psychologist. Every other association has got one. We haven’t.
      “We need to keep evolving, progressing and improving. That’s certainly an area we need.
      “The players will thrive on that. The psychologist will come in and be a part of the culture and make sure the new players buy into that.” 
      Wales kick-off their Euro 2024 qualifiers against World Cup semi-finalists Croatia in Split on March 25 followed by a home match with Latvia in Cardiff three days later.
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      The Dragons, now captained by Aaron Ramsey, have reached three of the last four major tournaments.
      But they must overcome the obstacles of retirements from talisman Bale, Joe Allen, Chris Gunter and Jonny Williams.
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      Gareth Southgate explains Ben White’s omission from England squad after Arsenal star’s mysterious World Cup exit

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      ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate revealed he omitted Arsenal ace Ben White because of too many other elite options.Southgate announced his team for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine but left White out despite his prolific role in the Gunners’ Premier League title bid.
      Arsenal ace Ben White was left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squadCredit: Rex
      England boss Gareth Southgate left Ben White out due to other elite optionsCredit: PA
      The centre-back has been filling in at right-back for Mikel Arteta’s side but the England boss preferred Eric Dier, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, John Stones, Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker.
      The 52-year-old tactician insists Walker, Trippier and James are ahead of him as well as Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was also left out.
      Southgate said: “With Ben, it is similar for Ben and Trent.
      “We have players ahead of those two and we are blessed with talent.
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      “Kyle and Tripps [Trippier] were the ones who played during the World Cup and have been consistent while Reece has come back.”
      This comes three months after White suddenly left England’s 2022 World Cup camp early.
      The FA initially released a statement claiming the 25-year-old departed from Qatar before the Last-16 encounter against Senegal due to “personal reasons”.
      However, reports later suggested the Arsenal ace had a bust-up with England assistant manager Steve Holland.
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      Reports also claimed White became unhappy and struggled to mix with his team-mates.
      Southgate, though, refused to address the speculation in December as he didn’t want to risk giving it any “credibility”.
      He said: “What I’ve been shown was alleged and there was another word that was used.
      “I think by commenting on the story I could be giving it any form of credibility, really.
      “We explained why Ben left the camp and I think it’s important that that is respected, really.” More

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      Is Ben White in the latest England squad and why did he leave the World Cup early?

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      ARSENAL star Ben White has been left of the latest England squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers.The Three Lions are set to take on Italy and Ukraine during the next international break.
      Ben White left England’s World Cup squad earlyCredit: Getty
      The England manager has recently explained his decision to leave out Ben White.
      He said: “With Ben, it’s similar with Ben and Trent really.
      The three boys that are in as right full-backs, we’ve got them as just ahead of those two.
      “We are blessed in that position with the depth of talent.
      “It’s the hardest position to pick, albeit it’s never straightforward criteria, and it’s always shifting around a little bit on form as well.
      “Kyle and Tripps are obviously the ones that played during the World Cup, started the games during the World Cup, have been consistent.
      “And Reece coming back is another top player. So yeah we’d love to have that depth in every position on the field really.”
      Why did Ben White leave England’s World Cup squad?
      The FA explained that White left the England camp ahead of their last-16 clash with Senegal for “personal reasons”.
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      An FA statement confirmed: “Ben White has left England’s training base in Al Wakrah and returned home for personal reasons.
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      “The Arsenal defender is not expected to return to the squad for the remainder of the tournament.
      “We ask that the player’s privacy is respected at this moment in time.”
      Ben White’s club side Arsenal also tweeted: “We’re all with you, Ben.”
      But it was later revealed that White reportedly had a bust-up with England assistant coach Steve Holland.
      Reports also claimed that the Gunners full-back became unhappy in the camp and struggled to mix with his fellow teammates.
      What did Gareth Southgate say about Ben White’s exit?
      England boss Gareth Southgate was quizzed on Ben White’s alleged bust-up with Steve Holland.
      Southgate said: “Well, not really. What I’ve been shown was alleged and there was another word that was used.
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      “I think by commenting on the story I could be giving it any form of credibility, really.
      “We explained why Ben left the camp and I think it’s important that that is respected, really.” More

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      Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke set to be ruled out of hosting 2026 World Cup final leaving him with stadium dilemma

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      STAN KROENKE is set to be ruled out of hosting the 2026 World Cup Final – because the pitch at his £4.1billion stadium is too small.Arsenal owner Kroenke supervised the construction of the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, which opened in 2020.
      Arsenal majority shareholder Stan Kroenke won’t be hosting the 2026 World Cup
      Stan Kroenke’s ground the SoFi Stadium doesn’t meet the required FIFA criteria
      Home to both the city’s NFL teams, the Rams and the Chargers, it was confirmed as a World Cup venue last year.
      With the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, which hosted the Final in 1994, not included in FIFA’s chosen grounds for 2026, the SoFi was thought to be in a head-to-head contest with New York’s MetLife Stadium to host the Final on July 19.
      But officials have been alerted to the fact that the artificial pitch laid to meet NFL demands is too narrow for official FIFA use.
      While a grass pitch will be installed for the World Cup, the area set aside for play is too tight to meet FIFA demands for photography positions and space for officials.
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      Incredibly, the current playing surface is 63ft – almost 16 yards – too narrow for FIFA demands.
      It means a number of “field seat suites” – hospitality boxes at pitch level – will have to be ripped out to provide the required infrastructure, with the plating surface itself raised slightly.   
      SoFi Stadium has a basic capacity of just over 70,000 under its state-of-the-art roof, although it can be extended, with the necessary alterations likely to bring a significant loss of seats.
      With FIFA mandating that the stadium for the Final must have a capacity of 80,000, it seems almost impossible for it to get the honour of hosting the biggest game in world football.
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      That makes the MetLife Stadium, home of New York’s two NFL sides and with a capacity of 80,242, as very much the frontrunner.
      The only downside of playing the Final there is that it is an open stadium and with a likely 3pm kick-off local time – 8pm in the UK – FIFA does have concerns about mid-summer heat impacting on its showpiece match.
      This comes after Arsenal’s majority shareholder Kroenke and his son Josh became the club’s Co-Chairs. More

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      Former Germany boss Joachim Low planning return to international management with huge rivals

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      FORMER GERMANY boss Joachim Low is reportedly eyeing a shock return to the international game.The 63-year-old is sniffing out opportunities to get back into the game after taking an extended break following 15 years in his previous job.
      Joachim Low is reportedly keen on becoming manager of BrazilCredit: Getty
      Low guided his home nation Germany to pinnacle of football in 2014 with World Cup glory in Brazil.
      Now Bild are claiming that he is interested in taking charge of the South American country that he enjoyed his greatest success in.
      Brazil sacked manager Tite after they were eliminated from the World Cup on penalties by Croatia in the quarter final.
      Carlo Ancelotti has been heavily linked with leaving Real Madrid to take charge of them.
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      However, this fresh update states that Low is also ready to throw his hat into the ring to become the next boss of the five-time world champions.
      Low quit Germany and was replaced by Hansi Flick after a number of underwhelming tournament performances with his last match in charge being the 2-0 Euro 2020 defeat to England in June 2021.
      Low now finds himself hungry to return to the profession he loves… after he has attended the World Cup in Qatar as a fan.
      Speaking to German publication Kicker, the coach recently said: “I already have the intention of taking on a task in football again.
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      “The fun in this sport is too much for that.
      “I feel motivated again when I watch football now – that wasn’t the case for a few months.”
      He then added: “If I feel a task appeals to me, I’m ready and attack again.”
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      Low hasn’t worked in club management since a stint with Austria Wien during the 2003-04 season.
      Prior to that, he coached FC Frauenfeld, Stuttgart, Fenerbahce, Karlsruher, Adanaspor and Tirol Innsbruck.
      Low then assisted Jurgen Klinsmann as Germany boss between 2004 and 2006, before landing the top job himself.
      Low hit the headlines as Germany started their Euro 2016 campaign with a 2-0 win over Ukraine in Lille, France.
      Rather than Bastian Schweinsteiger or Shkodran Mustafi’s goals, the match is better remembered for Low sticking his hand down his pants, then having a good root around his crotch on the touchline.
      Just when fans thought it was safe to look again, with Low having returned to his seat, they were made to recoil for a second time, as he gave his sweaty hand a hearty sniff.
      Low was previously spotted digging around his crotch during a gameCredit: Pictures supplied by YouTube/Ruckas Pictures Ruckaspictures@btconnect.com
      His nose picking antics also made supporters borkCredit: AFP
      And it is something that he has developed quite the history in as back in 2008 he had fans borking on the sidelines at the Euros.
      To the horror of TV viewers, he appeared to start rubbing his sweaty armpits.
      And to cap it off, he delivers what will become a trademark, flat-palmed finger-sniff. Yuck.
      Then, two years later, the constant hum of vuvuzelas drove most of us bonkers back at the World Cup in South Africa… but it didn’t drive most of us to do anything like this.
      Sat in the dugout, his face a picture of steely concentration, Low was spotted digging deep in his nostril.
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      After what seemed like an eternity, he appeared to have finally dug out the bogey that he had been craving – but then his pesky assistant Flick (yes, the same one who replaced him) seemed to interrupt him to talk about the game.
      But no matter, the moment Flick turns away Low, almost in slow motion, placed his fingers on his lips. Poor disguise Jogi, we all saw you. More

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      Chelsea will be handed whopping £50million cash injection thanks to Fifa decision

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      CHELSEA are in line for a massive £50million cash boost – after Fifa confirmed the Blues have qualified for the first expanded version of the Club World Cup.World chiefs meeting in Rwanda agreed the qualification format for the 32-team event, starting in 2025 and likely to be held in China.
      Stamford Bridge chief Graham Potter has the prospect of more games and more cash next season, via the Club World CupCredit: Alamy
      Europe has been given the largest share with 12 slots with Fifa’s ruling Council agreeing that qualification would run over the four year cycle from the 2020-21 to 2023-24 seasons.
      It means the four Champions League winners over those seasons, plus the next eight leading sides on Uefa’s four-year coefficient rankings system, will earn berths for the money-laden new competition.
      Chelsea’s 2021 Final win over Manchester City means they are now guaranteed a spot, alongside Real Madrid, to be joined by the next two winners of Europe’s biggest prize.
      No country can have more than two places through the coefficient table but as it stands Liverpool and Manchester City would qualify.
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      However, if Liverpool miss out on a European spot for next season, that would open the door for Manchester United to replace them by reaching the knock-out stage of the Champions League. 
      Fifa is also revamping its current smaller version of the Club World Cup, which will continue to be played annually but rebranded and with the Champions League winner automatically through to the Final.

      World chiefs also finally agreed the “International Match Calendar” dates for international qualifiers to start in 2025.
      It will mean a four-match and 16-day window for games stretching between late September and early October from 2026, rather than the current two separate breaks.
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      Nine day breaks, for two matches, will continue to be held in March, June and November, meaning 10 international games outside of tournaments per year.
      Meanwhile, recalled Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella hopes to revive his Spain career too.
      Cucurella hopes to take on Erling Haaland’s Norway in the opening Euro 2024 qualifier on Saturday, March 25. More