Fans boo as England fail to score against Scotland during clash at Wembley
England and Scotland battled out a 0-0 draw at a rain-soaked Wembley in their eagerly anticipated Euro 2020 group game.
England’s John Stones hit the post in the first half and Scotland had a shot cleared off the line as the visitors earned a deserved first point in the tournament
The result means England still need at least a point from their last game against the Czech Republic on Tuesday to qualify for the last 16 while Scotland still harbour hopes of progressing.
Scotland’s John McGinn (front) and England’s Luke Shaw battle for the ball during the UEFA Euro 2020 Group D match at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture date: Friday June 18, 2021.
England changed both their full-backs before their battle against Scotland, with manager Gareth Southgate putting in Luke Shaw and Reece James to replace Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker – the latter missing out on the squad altogether.
A mix of booing and cheering could be heard at the start of the game as both sets of players took a knee ahead of kick-off.
Having initially said they would not take the knee, the visitors changed their minds and – despite both sets of supporters booing their rivals’ national anthems – the reaction to the anti-racism gesture was the most positive of recent games, with cheers drowning out barely audible booing.
England came close to a goal in the 11th minute of the Euro 2020 match when John Stones headed the ball against the post and again shortly after when Mason Mount came close following a mistake by Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay.
Scotland’s Kieran Tierney shot 25 minutes into the match from around 25-yards but it flew wide of the goal, leaving England’s goalkeeper Jordan Pickford untested.
Scotland’s first big moment of the night came when they nearly scored on the half-hour mark after Kieran Tierney overlapped Andy Robertson and sent in a deep cross.
Fellow teammate Stephen O’Donnell caught it on the volley but Jordan Pickford made a strong save to claw it out.
England’s Raheem Sterling (left) and Scotland’s Billy Gilmour battle for the ball during the UEFA Euro 2020 Group D match at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture date: Friday June 18, 2021.
By half-time, both teams had failed to score, with away fans sounding far happier in the stands as the whistle blew for the interval.
The teams set off to an intense start of the second half, with Mason Mount getting England’s first on-target shot, hitting the ball towards the near post but Scotland’s goalkeeper David Marshall managed to keep it out.
Stephen O’Donnell curled a delightful cross into the area which nearly reaches Lyndon Dykes but Tyrone Mings leaps to make an important headed clearance.
England’s Phil Foden was replaced by Jack Grealish shortly after the second half began, who made an immediate impact by winning a corner on his first time on the ball.
A possible penalty got England fans excited in the 79th minute after Sterling fell to the floor after a challenge by Scotland’s defender Robertson, but the referee was not interested and did not feel the need to call for VAR.
A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an elderly couple died following a fire at their home in St Helens.
Peter Eric Greener, 77, known as Eric, and his partner Sheila Jackson, 83, were caught in the blaze at their home on South John Street in the early hours of Tuesday.
Mr Greener died on Wednesday, while Ms Jackson died on Thursday.
Eric Greener. Pic: Merseyside Police
Sheila Jackson. Pic: Merseyside Police
Merseyside Police said an accelerant was used to start the fire.
On Sunday, the force said the suspect from St Helens had been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody for questioning.
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Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said: “Although an arrest has been made, I would like to take this opportunity to remind people to pass on information directly to police or anonymously via Crimestoppers, and not to comment or post in any way which jeopardises this ongoing work.”
DS Wilson said “extensive enquiries” continue.
She added: “And to that end we are still appealing for anyone with information to come forward, particularly if you live in the area of South John Street and recall seeing or hearing anything suspicious at around the time of the incident.
“Please do not assume what you know has already been reported to us, as we can quickly make that assessment.”
UK
How e-bike riders are doing double the speed limit – and many of them work for fast food delivery firms
It’s lunchtime on Birmingham’s New Street.
Close to its many restaurants, food delivery riders are congregating on their bikes.
The area is packed with shoppers and workers.
PC Paige Gartlan is approaching with other officers. She’s on the lookout for illegally modified e-bikes – and she knows she’ll find them here.
“You can physically tell by looking at the bike that it’s generally going to be illegal – the battery pack is taped on to the sides and generally the size of the motor that’s on the back wheel,” she explains.
Sky News has been invited on an operation by West Midlands Police to find these bikes and get them off the streets.
PC Gartlan has been hit by one before. She’s had to tackle a rider to the floor after he drove into her.
Within minutes, she’s spotted a suspicious-looking bike. The rider makes a run for it – followed by plain-clothed officers.
PC Gartlan tests the bike – it’s showing a top speed of 52km/hr on the speedometer – just over 30mph.
PC Paige Gartlan with a seized e-bike
The speed limit for e-bikes in the UK is 15.5mph when using electric power for assistance.
I look up the street and another two riders have been detained. In less than an hour, officers have confiscated four bikes – all were being ridden by fast food delivery drivers.
The commotion is attracting a lot of attention.
“They are dangerous,” Sandra, who has just finished work, tells me.
Demoz had his bike taken by police
She’s stood watching the riders being questioned. She says she’s had near-misses herself and is worried for the safety of the elderly and children.
It’s not just West Midlands police officers here – immigration officials are carrying out checks too. They’re involved in a nationwide operation, which has seen more than 7,000 arrests in the last year – a 50% increase on last year.
Matthew Foster, the immigration enforcement lead officer for the West Midlands, tells me they’ve already found one individual who has entered the UK unlawfully.
“He’s been detained,” he says, “to affect his removal from the UK.”
Further down the street, police are loading illegally modified bikes on to a van – they’re destined to be crushed. One of them had belonged to Demoz.
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An e-bike seized by West Midlands Police
He’s on his way home, carrying a big box with the logo of one of the main fast food delivery firms on it.
He tells me he used to have an illegal bike, but he thought his new one was legal.
“I make a mistake, I have to say sorry, I will do better for the future,” he says.
I get in touch with the big delivery firms; Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat.
Their representatives say they constantly remind workers of their safety obligations, and that they’re all working closely with the government to increase security checks on riders.
As he leaves, Demoz, now bike-free, tells me he’s thinking of changing his job.
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