Euro 2016: England’s game with Wales could be switched to evening
Both ITV and BBC are understood to be set to lobby Uefa for a change in kick-off,
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Your support makes all the difference.England’s Euro 2016 game against Wales in Lens could be rescheduled, with broadcasters keen for the Group B fixture to be moved to an evening kick-off rather than its current 2pm slot.
With England and Wales, managed respectively by Roy Hodgson and Chris Coleman, due to meet at the 41,000-capacity Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Thursday 16 June, there is the prospect of millions of supporters from both nations being forced to miss the game due to work or school commitments.
Both ITV and BBC are understood to be set to lobby Uefa for a change in kick-off, having succeeded with a similar plea to Fifa to move the 2014 World Cup tie between England and Italy in Manaus to an 11pm BST kick-off from its original timing of 2am.
The Football Association, meanwhile, is to prioritise the staging of a pre-tournament friendly in the north-east, at St James’ Park, the Stadium of Light or Riverside Stadium, as part of Roy Hodgson’s preparations in the build-up to next year’s tournament.
England are planning to play three warm-up games before leaving for the tournament in France, with two of those fixtures due to be staged away from Wembley.
Old Trafford in Manchester is expected to be selected as one of those venues, with a decision yet to be made on the north-east stadiums.
With England’s Group B fixtures in France being staged on the south coast in Marseille, centrally in St Etienne and in the far north in Lens, Hodgson is keen for his squad to experience the tournament feel of travelling around the country during the 10-day friendly programme in this country.
Talks could take place this week with potential opponents and the FA, which has already arranged friendlies against Germany and Netherlands in March, is hopeful of securing the three warm-up fixtures shortly after Christmas.
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