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DECLAN RICE had to be held back during heated full-time scenes after England’s win over Slovakia.
Aaron Ramsdale was forced to pull his Arsenal team-mate away from Slovakia manager Francesco Calzona.
The pair were involved in a confrontation on the pitch following the final whistle in Gelsenkirchen.
Calzona had stormed onto the pitch in a bid to speak to referee Umut Meler at the end of extra-time.
However, as he approached the official, Rice could be seen gesturing to Calzona not to bother.
The Slovakia boss responded by pushing Rice, before another member of the coaching team shoved the England man away.
A furious Rice then had to be held back by Ramsdale as his team-mates diffused the situation.
Calzona was later asked about the incident during his post-match interview.
He told reporters: “Rice was supposed to go to the referees and leave.
“I had to speak to the refs and he wasn’t leaving, he carried on. But then he apologised and it was all fine.”
As for England’s antics late on, he added: “I didn’t like the way the England team were wasting time was not punished.”
The Slovakia boss has been in charge since 2022, with Euro 2024 his first major tournament as manager.
He also spent the last three months of the season balancing his job with a role as Napoli boss.
The Italian had previously been the club’s assistant manager under Maurizio Sarri between 2015 and 2018.
As for Rice, he remains ever-present for England in Germany after playing the full 90 minutes as well as extra-time.
The 25-year-old is likely to keep his place for the quarter-final clash with Switzerland on Saturday.
Who will start alongside him is less certain, though, with Kobbie Mainoo starting against Slovakia.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Gallagher have also partnered Rice in midfield so far in the tournament. — Sun.
Online Reporter