FAI IN THE DARK

Rice has still to outline future to Ireland boss

MARTIN O’NEILL is still waiting for Declan Rice to confirm his international preference, despite increasing speculation that the West Ham midfielder has made up his mind to switch to England.

Sportsmail’s revelation last month that Rice was ready to jump ship after being promised a cap in the immediate future by Gareth Southgate gained further credibility yesterday when a report detailed a second meeting between Rice and the England manager.

Eager to recruit the 19-year-old, Southgate presented Rice with statistical data on how he would fit into the England team when they met in St George’s Park, the FA’s training centre.

Southgate, who has always given youth a chance since taking charge of England, is prepared to fast-track the player into their set-up for the Euro 2020 qualifiers.

According to the FAI last night, there was no update on Rice’s position. He played three friendlies for Ireland this year before asking not to be

considered for selection amid conjecture that he was on England’s wanted list.

After the 1-0 loss to Wales last month, O’Neill said he expected a decision from the player on his future before the end of the year. He insisted he had not given up on him committing to Ireland.

Rice has completed the last six Premier League matches for West Ham as a defensive midfield shield.

Meanwhile, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has asked the emir of Qatar to consider cohosting the next World Cup with nations that are attempting to isolate the tiny desert country in a bitter diplomatic dispute.

Qatar has just eight stadiums to host 64 games over an alreadycongested 28-day window in 2022.

Expanding the field to 48 teams would mean 80 games, requiring more stadiums.

Infantino says using venues in Saudi Arabia and around the Persian Gulf “would probably be a nice message”, and the FIFA supremo added that Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar was open to the discussions.