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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Mathew Davies

Why England v Italy is being played at Molineux and not Wembley

England and Italy lock horns in the Nations League tonight in a repeat of the Euro 2020 final.

And it is the events of that night - where hundreds of fans entered Wembley Stadium without tickets and clashed with authorities - that has seen this evening's game move from London to the Midlands.

The clash between the two teams will be played behind closed doors as punishment for unrest during last summer's final.

UEFA slapped England with a two-game stadium ban - the second suspended for two years - and a 100,000 euros fine. Following the governing body's decision, the FA decided to lease Wembley out for Capital Radio's Summertime Ball on the Sunday, according to the Sun.

But the decision to move games away from Wembley is also apart of a wider trend. This isn't the first time England have taken home internationals on the road. Southampton's St Mary’s, Leeds United's Elland Road and Leicester City's King Power Stadium have all played host to the Three Lions over recent seasons.

England will face Hungary at the same venue on Tuesday, this time with a full house expected.

England boss Gareth Southgate told the FA website in February: “While Wembley is our home, we very much enjoy taking the squad on the road where possible, particularly in the run up to a major tournament.

“2022 promises to be an exciting adventure for England fans and it is great that one of English football’s famous stadiums will be a part of that. I know from my time in charge of the U21s how much a Molineux crowd embraces the experience of international football, so we look forward to returning to Wolverhampton in June.”

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