Euro 2024 news: UEFA crackdown may affect England fans as German police on terror alert

That's all we've got time for tonight.

Just one more sleep until Euro 2024 finally gets underway, with hosts Germany taking on Scotland in the opening game of the tournament.

We'll be back in the morning for the build-up to that one.

Catch you then!

Harry Kane has declared that England will not take Serbia lightly when they do battle on Sunday in their opening group stage match.

"They're a team that can hurt you if you're not set up correctly and defensively they're really strong," said the England skipper.

"They make it difficult for us with their moves and they have tall players so they can be very dangerous.

"If we're not careful it could be a difficult game for us so we need to make sure we get that right."

Andy Robertson believes Scotland can make it through the group stage at Euro 2024 for the first time in their history.

Steve Clarke's side will open their campaign against Germany tomorrow night before facing Switzerland and Hungary.

"We believe we can be the team to make history," Robertson told STV.

"We have put ourselves in a good position by qualifying first and foremost and let’s see what we can do. We’re excited by the challenge.

"We’re excited about what’s ahead and if we perform the way I know we can perform then I’m confident we can make history.

"We know what is at stake. What’s the worst that can happen? You join the list of good Scotland teams that failed to make it out the group.

"The flipside to that is we can be the first team to do that. We have lots of incentives to do well but that is the main one, to become a legendary squad."

England fans could be subjected to random drug and alcohol tests if they appear intoxicated while following the Three Lions.

UEFA have imposed strict rules on drugs and alcohol in a bid to crack down on potential disorder and antisocial behaviour, according to i.

It is said that fans will be subjected to on-the-spot tests if they appear to be under the influence when attempting to gain entry to stadiums.

Random checks will be carried out, either by police officers or trained officials using breathalysers, on fans who display behavioural problems or are clearly intoxicated.

Authorities have already taken steps to prevent alcohol-induced disorder, with low-strength beer set to be served in local bars when England face Serbia this weekend.

Kylian Mbappe did not train with France today after being struck down by illness.

Les Bleus are among the favourites to win the Euros but their preparations have been rocked by a virus spreading around the camp.

It has been confirmed that Mbappe is ill with the virus alongside Kingsley Coman and France manager Didier Deschamps.

Police in Germany are ready to handle any terrorist threats at Euro 2024 with security at stadiums being treated as a 'top priority'.

According to CGTN, groups such as ISIS have already called for attacks to be carried out during the tournament.

Nancy Faeser, the German interior minister, said: "Our security services are highly professional and have been preparing intensively for this tournament for years.

"The cooperation between the Federal State and the regions to ensure the security of the tournament is going very well."

Herbert Reul, the interior minister for the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, added: "There is this abstract high risk and there are enough incidents to confirm that it can happen every day. 

"We can never guarantee 100 per cent security. We can prepare ourselves as best we can, train people as best we can, send many people there, prepare technology as far as we can.

"We can try, we can practice. Everything will be done."

A 'psychic' sheep has predicted the outcome of England's opening group stage match against Serbia.

Shaun, a three-month-old sheep who lives on a farm in County Durham, apparently has a knack of knowing when it is feeding time before all his pals.

The Hartlepool Mail went to visit Shaun and placed three bowls of food in front of him, each labelled 'win', 'draw' or 'lose'.

In a disappointing turn of events, Shaun headed straight for the bowl marked 'draw' and began to chow down.

England fans will certainly be hoping that Shaun is proven wrong when the Three Lions face Serbia this weekend.

Serbia defender Strahinja Pavlovic believes his team will 'attack' England when they face each other on Sunday.

He pointed to Iceland's success in keeping the Three Lions quiet at Wembley when quizzed on how Serbia will approach the match.

"I would attack the English," he said. "I would go up there and try to press them. Everyone has flaws, even the English.

"We saw how organised Iceland were able to threaten and defeat them. We are analysing everything and will prepare well."

FA chief Mark Bullingham has confirmed that there is a succession plan in place for Gareth Southgate’s potential departure.

England manager Southgate has admitted that he could leave his job if the Three Lions fail to win Euro 2024.

Bullingham also insisted that no approach for Southgate had been made from any club. Manchester United’s minority owners, INEOS, are claimed to be fans of the 53-year-old.

Erik ten Hag has been retained as Red Devils boss.

"There have been no approaches," Bullingham said.

"Any organisation really has a succession plan in place for their top employees, and we are no different to that. This succession plan normally includes everything from what you do for short-term cover, through to a process you follow to candidates. We have that for top employees.

"Gareth has been really, really clear that he wants to talk about [his future] after the tournament. I don’t want to provide any distraction for him and the team."

Former England international Shaun Wright-Phillips and his daughter, Raphaella, are fronting a campaign showing the far-reaching impact of hate, and its effects on the younger generation.

New research from EE shows that hate is getting worse in UK society and is having a demonstrable impact on children, with nearly two fifths (37%) of kids aged 6-15 having experienced at least one form of hate online and offline.

A recent YouGov survey commissioned by EE has today revealed that two fifths (38%) of kids aged 6-15 will copy behaviour of adults, online and offline, if they see it is positively reinforced, even if they think it’s wrong.

Wright-Phillips said: “Football isn’t just about supporting our team; it's about ensuring the next generation can grow up to be proper football fans, free from the toxic behavior that spoils the sport we love. This is why campaigns like this one are so important: ensuring everyone can enjoy football and, just as importantly, making sure that children are spared hateful and abusive behaviour.”

French publication RMC Sport claims that a virus has swept through the France squad. 

While not thought to be serious, it is claimed that players have been experiencing cold symptoms, in addition to waking up with cramps and headaches. 

France get their Euro 2024 campaign underway against Austria on Monday night. 

Adam Wharton says being in the England squad is ‘surreal’ after sneaking into Gareth Southgate’s plans for Euro 2024.

Wharton’s excellent form for Crystal Palace in the second half of the season has won him a place in Germany.

The 20-year-old was signed by Palace from Blackburn for £18m in January.

"It's a surreal feeling. Honestly I wasn't expecting it," Wharton said.

“Just a dream come true. Every kid who grows up playing football wants to play in the Premier League, play for their country.

“I got to play for team I supported to begin with, really enjoyed that and then it has continued since - moving to the Premier League, now here, so it's all been very fast but I wouldn't want it any other way.

“I have really enjoyed the last six months and I just want to keep playing, getting better."

Lionel Messi has hit back at Kylian Mbappe after the Frenchman claimed the Euros are harder to win than the World Cup.

Messi’s Argentina defeated France in the 2022 World Cup final.

“Well, everybody prioritises their tournament,” the Barcelona icon told ESPN Argentina ahead of the Copa America.

“Obviously, the Euros is very important and has the best teams, but he's leaving out three-time champion Argentina, five-time champion Brazil, two-time champion Uruguay. There are a lot of world champions left off to say that it's the most difficult tournament.

“The best teams play in the World Cup, which generally includes all the world champions. There's a reason everybody wants to be champions.”

Mbappe had said earlier this week: “The Euros are complicated. For me, more complicated than a World Cup.”

England and Serbia fans will have to make do with weaker beer at their Euro 2024 clash on Sunday. 

The game is considered "high-risk", partially due to hundreds of Serbian hooligans expected to arrive at Schalke's Veltins Arena. 

German police have special measures in place, which includes serving weaker beer to supporters. 

“It is just the England game which will have the low-strength beer," Gelsenkirchen police spokesman Stephan Knipp told The Sun.

“The other games at the stadium will have 4.8 percent.”

Prince William will be present for England's clash with Denmark on June 20. 

The Euro 2024 fixture falls a day before the future monarch's 42nd birthday. 

William visited the England squad at St. George's Park last week and spoke with the players and staff. 

John Stones is due to train with his England team-mates on Thursday in a major boost for Gareth Southgate. 

Stones was confined to his bedroom with an illness on Wednesday. 

The Manchester City defender did not train and was considered a doubt for Sunday's Euro 2024 Group C clash with Serbia. 

However, Stones, 30, is now set to take part in training on Thursday. 

Express Sport's writers had a go at picking their preferred England line-ups to face Serbia on Sunday. 

You can read who we picked by clicking here. 

Casement Park redevelopment chiefs are hinging on the next UK government providing the necessary funding for the project. 

The Northern Ireland-based stadium remains derelict four years before it is due to host five matches at Euro 2028. 

An Ulster GAA spokesperson said: "Following our joint letter with the Irish FA (Football Association) to the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, we have had confirmation that details of government funding will not be made available until after the UK Parliament elections on July 4.

"To keep this global and transformational opportunity alive, we are now urgently calling on the Northern Ireland Executive to collectively discuss the opportunities that Euro 2028 will create for our society, and the reputational, economic and sporting risk of losing this global event.

"We are also calling for the procurement tender documents to be released without further delay to ensure the project development remains within UEFA timelines.”

READ MORE HERE

Harry Kane will be the only player allowed to speak to the referee at Euro 2024. 

That is because UEFA are trialling a new protocol to protect referees and improve communication between all parties on the field of play. 

Only the captains of each nation will be allowed to speak to the official. 

In return, the referees will provide each captain a broader reason for their decisions. 

Police reportedly fear that trouble could ensue if Serbia fans boo God Save the King on Sunday.

It has been claimed that police view England’s clash with Serbia as ‘high-risk’, with 500 Serbian hooligans expected to arrive at Schalke’s Veltins Arena.

According to the Mirror, one fear among police is that they will boo England’s anthem, God Save the King.

FA chief Mark Bullingham has reassured fans that the German authorities will have any issues under control.

READ MORE HERE

John Stones is considered a major doubt for England’s first Euro 2024 match against Serbia.

The Manchester City defender has been confined to his bedroom to avoid spreading an illness with which he has been suffering.

Stones missed England training on Wednesday.

England face a crisis at centre-back, where Harry Maguire was forced to miss the tournament with a calf injury.

Brighton’s Lewis Dunk is on standby to start alongside Marc Guehi.

Good morning and welcome to Express Sport's Euro 2024 LIVE blog on the eve of the tournament. 

We'll have all the latest news from the England camp and beyond. 

Stay tuned!