Euro Auld Enemy tie would need coin flip

A toss of the coin could decide the venue for one of England’s matches at Euro 2020, when Gareth southgate’s young side may have their best chance of winning a major trophy.

Wembley will host the semi-finals and final of a competition being staged in 12 cities across Europe.

If England qualify for the European Championship finals they will play two group games at Wembley and one at Hampden Park in Glasgow. If scotland also qualify, they will go into the same group as England.

UEFA’s 2020 tournament guidance information, recently received by the FA, stipulates that in such circumstances a toss of the coin would decide whether the England v scotland tie is held at Wembley or Hampden.

the FA have yet to consider who would contest the toss and where it would take place.

England have begun this World Cup with a win against tunisia and in 2020 the current squad will be much more experienced. they will also have the massive advantage of playing four or five games at Wembley if they progress to the final.

World Cup hosts Russia, with two convincing victories, are currently demonstrating the benefit of playing at home.

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figures for Iran v Spain, a relatively unattractive group match that nevertheless drew a peak audience of 9.2million on ITV, further suggests Russia 2018 is going to break all television viewing records in the UK for World Cups. There have already been two games that drew 10m viewers, plus that astonishing 18.3m for England v Tunisia. FAIR play to BBC’s pitchside reporter Gabby Logan (right), who in good humour referenced criticism by this column for getting her facts wrong about the number of England openingmatch wins in the World Cup by hashtagging some of her tweets #Loganstats.

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THE rush to be first with the news on social media, BBC Radio 5 Live somehow misinterpreted a clear statement from the FA that manager Gareth Southgate had dislocated his shoulder after falling when on his daily training run in Repino. Instead 5 Live tweeted: ‘Gareth Southgate dislocated his right shoulder celebrating Harry Kane’s dramatic late winner against Tunisia.’ FA security personnel shadow Southgate wherever he goes in Russia, except it seems when he goes out running. The reason given is that none of the security guards can keep up with him.