England’s Euro 2016 plans scrapped after rule confusion

Back to the drawing board.

England's preparations for Euro 2016 have been dealt a blow because of an oversight. According to The Guardian, England had hoped to play both Portugal and Czech Republic at the end of the season, with Austria and Hungary also possible warm-up opponents. However, there's just one small problem; Uefa rules stipulate this isn't possible. The Football Association made something of a blunder regarding the competition's rules, not realising European football's governing body do not allow a qualified team to play two qualified teams in the month before tournament. Each of the countries were interested in playing will be involved in Euro 2016, and the FA, according to The Guardian's Daniel Taylor, were not aware of the rule until recently. "At the moment we’re restricted," England manager Roy Hodgson said. "The restriction – we only found out after the draw itself – is that Uefa are insisting that in your warm-up matches you don't play more than one team that are qualified alongside you." England are reportedly worried that their pre-tournament opponents won't be as strong now because they will have to play teams who failed to qualify for Euro 2016 - a problem that each of the 24 qualified teams will face. Tough break though, Roy. Expect The Netherlands to be the most in-demand international team next May.