Rubin Kazan to sanction Daku on his return to Russia
June 24 – Russia’s Rubin Kazan FC said that Albanian national Mirlind Daku will be punished when he returns to the club after the Euros. Daku face a “disciplinary and financial” sanction.
Europe
Croatia and Italy primed for life-or-death battle
June 24 – Azzurri centre-back Alessandro Bastoni (pictured right) has vowed that Italy will set aside their fears as they strive to avoid the embarrassment of an early exit from Euro 2024 as his team set their sights on a clash with Croatia in Leipzig on Monday night.
Belgium back Lukaku to come good against Ukraine
June 23 – Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco is not worried by his side’s profligacy in front of goal at Euro 2024, and is keeping faith in Romelu Lukaku to come good.
Austria’s Rangnick focussed on Dutch decider
June 22 – Poland were put to the sword against Austria as the bottom-placed sides clashed in Group D, giving Ralf Rangnick’s side a lifeline headed into the final game versus Netherlands on Tuesday.
Chechia’s Ivan Hašek says they are ready for Georgia’s Kvaratskhelia
June 21 – Czechia are eyeing their first points of their Euro 2024 campaign against Georgia on Saturday afternoon after their last-second loss to Portugal left a bitter taste in an otherwise encouraging opening performance.
Belgium’s Tedesco relying on proven returnees for crucial Romania clash
June 21 – Counting on reinforcing their defence, Belgium will need a result in their second Group E encounter against Romania after a shock 1-0 defeat to Slovakia.
UEFA opens multiple investigations as Balkan nationalist fervour boils over
June 21 – The complex and fever-pitch intensity and rivalry among the various Balkan neighbours at Euro 2024 continues to take centre stage with UEFA now opening an investigation into Serbian claims that fans of Albania and Croatia chanted ‘kill, kill, kill the Serb’ during their Group B game on Wednesday.
UEFA mourns passing of guiding force Gerhard Aigner, 80
June 21 – There was a moment of silence ahead of the Spain-Italy Group B match on Thursday in honour of former UEFA general secretary and chief executive Gerhard Aigner, who has died aged 80.
Spalletti licks his wounds after Spanish schooling, De La Fuente says they will get even better
June 21 – Italy manager Luciano Spalletti admitted that his side were outplayed by Spain in a 1-0 defeat, but said that the humbling reality check must prompt his side to improve.
Southgate says England have work to do and have to improve, really?… no-one noticed
June 21 – England manager Gareth Southgate says the country must improve after suffering a barrage of criticism for failing once again to get the best out of his talented side.
Macedonians and Serbs demand sanctions for Albania’s Daku offensive chanting
June 21 – The North Macedonia FA has demanded a public apology from Albanian international Mirlind Daku for his offensive chants after Wednesday’s Euro 2024 match between Croatia and Albania.
Austria’s Rangnick wary of Lewandowski’s return for Poland
June 21 – Austria manager Ralf Rangnick insists his team is ready to face Poland in today’s matchup in the German capital, as Polish star Robert Lewandowski eyes a return to the starting team after missing out last week due to injury.
Security fears prompts Brussels to pull out of hosting Belgium-Israel Nations League tie
June 20 – The city of Brussels has refused to host a Nations League match between Belgium and Israel in September because of the “dramatic situation in Gaza”.
Bulgarian champions Ludogorets set to begin construction on Huvepharma Arena revamp
June 20 – Bulgarian champions Ludogorets are poised to begin a large-scale reconstruction of the club’s Huvepharma Arena in Razgrad, according to Angel Petrichev, the club’s executive director who was speaking before the start of the team’s summer training camp.
UEFA fines Serbia and Albania for fans’ ‘provocative’ banners
June 20 – UEFA’s disciplinary committee has punished the national federations of Serbia and Albania after the first matches in the group stage of Euro 2024 for the behaviour of their fans in the matches against England and Italy.