Photos: Champions Portugal fly home to hero welcome

Thousands of fans greeted Euro 2016 champions Portugal as they landed in Lisbon on Monday, chanting the name of goal hero Eder, whose extra-time screamer sealed the 1-0 victory over France.

After travelling in a plane named after the late striker Eusebio, coach Fernando Santos and captain Cristiano Ronaldo were greeted by rapturous applause from the 5,000-strong crowd as they lifted the country’s first major trophy aloft.

They were due to meet President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who said he would honour them with an award for distinguished acts of public service.

“I have to praise everyone. I will commemorate them with the Order of Merit of Commanders – that is a decree that has never been given to the national team,” he told broadcaster RTP.

The team were then expected to parade the trophy in the streets of Lisbon before addressing delirious supporters at the fanzone in the capital after the country erupted into noisy jubilation late on Sunday.

Former Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who lost to Greece in the 2004 final hosted by Portugal, showered praise on the players.

“Portugal had deserved this European champion title since 2004. Last night, Portugal was able to get back the title that we lost in 2004,” he told Sport TV. See photos below...

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Russia handed suspended disqualification from Euro 2016 over crowd violence against England

UEFA have issued Russia with a suspended disqualification from Euro 2016 following acts of barbaric hooliganism during Saturday’s match against England. The build-up to Saturday’s 1-1 draw had been marred by trouble on the streets of Marseille between both sets of supporters and it continued inside the stadium at the final whistle.

Hoards of Russia fans charged the England end after setting off flares in the direction of the travelling support. And UEFA confirmed in a statement today that any further violence inside the stadium of Russia’s matches will result in the country being disqualified from the tournament.

Russia have also been fined €150,000 (£119,000) for the disturbances. Scores of Russian fans have already been deported from France following the scenes the unsavoury scenes that followed the match.

French police blamed 150 ‘well-trained’ Russian hooligans for the fighting that broke out prior to the Group B clash. Six English fans, meanwhile, were detained on Monday for their roles in the disturbances.

Russia are next in action against Slovakia in Lille on Wednesday and conclude their group stage campaign against Wales in Toulouse next Monday.

Read full statement below.....

"The UEFA Executive Committee has warned both football associations that – irrespective of any decisions taken by the independent disciplinary bodies relating to incidents inside the stadium – it will not hesitate to impose additional sanctions on the Football Association (FA) and the Russian Football Union (RFS), including the potential disqualification of their respective teams from the tournament, should such violence occur again.

We urge both the FA and the RFS to appeal to their supporters to behave in a responsible and respectful manner.

We would also like to publicly voice our support for the work of the French authorities and security forces for their efforts to deliver a safe and secure tournament in challenging circumstances."

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Photo: Rooney in England Jersey for EURO 2016

Manchester United player Wayne Rooney share this image of himself in the new Euro 2016 England Jersey as they prepare for the competition 

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Benzema confirms Euro 2016 absence

France striker Karim Benzema has confirmed he will play no part in Euro 2016 following a meeting with FFP president, Noel Le Graet.

The Real Madrid forward tweeted: "Unfortunately for me and for all those who have always supported me, I will not be selected for our Euro in France."

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Euro 2016 matches 'could be played behind closed doors... we can't exclude terrorism',

European Championship matches could be played behind closed doors this summer with football chiefs unable to rule out a terrorist attack in France. Euro 2016 organisers were already on alert following the atrocities in Paris last November but the Brussels terror attacks on Tuesday have raised further doubts over safety at the tournament.

But with the tournament edging closer, UEFA executive committee vice-president Giancarlo Abete has admitted the best option could be to play the matches behind closed doors. Speaking to a French radio station Radio 24, Abete said: 'Euro 2016 is the kind of event we can't delay or postpone.

'We can't exclude the possibility of playing behind closed doors as we cannot exclude terrorism.'

UEFA have also commented on the ongoing safety plans by insisting they are working with the relevant authorities to ensure a secure tournament, which begins June 10 at Stade de France. The Stade de France was one of the venues targeted by terrorists in the Paris atrocities in November last year.

In a statement released on Thursday night, UEFA said: 'We will continue their joint work and will regularly monitor the level of risk for the tournament and their respective organisational plans.

'For over three years now, EURO 2016 SAS has been working closely with the relevant authorities to develop the most appropriate mechanisms in order to guarantee a safe and secure tournament and all necessary measures are being taken to ensure that is the case for all involved.'

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