Italy beat fancied Belgium to hit group summit as holders Spain also begin Euro 2016 with victory June 13, 2016 Italy assumed control of Group E with an impressive 2-0 victory over much-fancied but ultimately disappointing Belgium as the Azzurri made a triumphant start to Euro 2016 in Lyon. Premier League duo Emanuele Giaccherini, who is on the books of Sunderland, and Southampton striker Graziano Pelle were on target as Italy won their opening game [...]
Martin O’Neill rues missed opportunity as precious points slip through Irish fingers with Clark own goal June 13, 2016 Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill admitted his side missed a huge opportunity to claim a potentially pivotal Euro 2016 victory after an agonising Ciaran Clark own goal rescued a point for Sweden in Paris. O’Neill described Ireland’s first-half showing as “explosive” although it took until the opening moments of the second period for Norwich [...]
Roy Hodgson and Wayne Rooney implore England fans to avoid trouble as Euro 2016 expulsion threat hangs over Three Lions June 13, 2016 England manager Roy Hodgson and captain Wayne Rooney have pleaded with supporters to be on the their best behaviour at Euro 2016 after the team was threatened with disqualification. Governing body Uefa on Sunday warned it would not hesitate to throw England and Russia out of the competition following the violent clashes between fans that marred [...]
Now KPMG stands down as Fifa’s auditors June 13, 2016 KPMG has stood down as auditors of Fifa after more than a decade of service, the football association revealed in a statement today. Fifa said that it "welcomes" the change, which will give it a chance to work with a new audit firm. A new auditor has not yet been appointed. However, Fifa acknowledged that, particularly [...]
Roy Hodgson must build on encouraging displays of Rooney and Lallana to keep England positive for crunch Wales clash June 12, 2016 The worst time at a major tournament – as many in this inexperienced England squad will be discovering now – is the period in between games when you haven’t had the result that you wanted. Normally a team in this position would go back to what they know has got them through previous difficult times, [...]
England and Russia threatened with expulsion from Euro 2016 over fan violence June 12, 2016 England have been warned that they will be thrown out of Euro 2016 if the incidents of fan violence that marred the build-up to their opening match against Russia are repeated. European governing body Uefa has also threatened Russia with the same punishment, following repeated clashes between supporters from both countries in Marseille over the [...]
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry baffled by Jamie Vardy’s indecision over transfer and expresses doubts at Leicester striker’s suitability June 11, 2016 Thierry Henry is bewildered that Leicester striker Jamie Vardy has delayed making a decision on whether or not to join Arsenal. The Gunners legend said the opportunity to play for his former club is one he would find impossible to turn down were he in Vardy's shoes. Despite Arsenal triggering a release clause reported to be [...]
Euro 2016 England v Russia: Ex-Chelsea star Graeme Le Saux encourages fans and media to stick by team and forgive players for mistakes June 11, 2016 Former England left-back Graeme Le Saux has encouraged the English fans and media to be patient with Roy Hodgson's side and avoid creating a "destructive culture of fear" within the squad. The ex-Chelsea and Southampton star played at the 1998 World Cup, the last international tournament held in France, and has revealed that the intense [...]
Premier League U-21 teams including Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea invited to play in Football League Trophy June 10, 2016 Premier League academy teams will play League One and League Two clubs next season in next year's EFL Trophy, after Football League bosses signed off on a shake-up of the competition. At the Football League's annual general meeting, chief executives approved plans to allow Premier League under-21 sides from category one academies, which includes Arsenal, Chelsea, [...]
Euro 2016 most valuable squad: Germany top value ranking ahead of England while Portugal and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo is most valuable player June 10, 2016 England’s squad for Euro 2016 is the fourth most-valuable in the competition, behind only hosts France, reigning champions Spain and World Cup winners Germany. Roy Hodgson’s 23-man squad has a collective value of £357.8m at an average of £15.6m per player, according to independent database transfermarkt. That makes the Three Lions more valuable than every [...]