- Jack Grealish was left out of England’s 26-man squad for the upcoming Euros
- However, a UEFA loophole means the Man City star can still receive a call up
- Click here to follow Mail Sport’s Euro 2024 WhatsApp Channel for all the latest breaking news and updates from Germany
A ‘loophole’ in UEFA rules means that Jack Grealish could still be heading to Euro 2024 despite missing out on England’s initial 26-man squad.
Gareth Southgate caused a stir last Thursday when he named the Manchester City winger among seven players that would be cut from his final squad for the tournament.
Grealish ultimately paid the price for a poor campaign at the Etihad, affected by injury and largely marked by underwhelming form. He made only 10 starts in the Premier League and ended the campaign with only four goal contributions.
However, despite narrowly missing out on the Three Lions squad heading to Germany, it’s now emerged that a ‘loophole’ in the rulebook could still see him at the Euros.
According to Article 48 of UEFA’s official tournament regulations, players can be replaced if they ‘become seriously injured or ill’.
This requires a team doctor or a UEFA Medical Committee member to confirm that the issue is ‘sufficiently serious to prevent them from taking part’ in Euro 2024.
Should a player be forced to leave their respective national squad, then a replacement – such as Grealish – could be called up.
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However, Grealish’s inclusion in the Three Lions squad seems extremely unlikely given the fact he is reportedly in Dubai now.
Furthermore, all 26 players in England’s Euro 2024 squad took part in an open training session in Jena, Germany on Tuesday – meaning the likelihood of someone dropping out through injury is low.
Southgate was given a huge boost as Luke Shaw – has been battling for fitness – partook in full team training for the first time since getting picking up a hamstring injury in February.
Shaw has been on an intense personal programme in the past week in a bid to restore his fitness and has been earmarked to make a return for the Three Lions in their second group match against Denmark on June 20.
He was joined by John Stones, and Bukayo Saka – who had both also been doubts – as they took part in a variety of training drills with the rest of the squad in their first session since landing on German soil on Monday.
The UEFA ‘loophole’, meanwhile, has already been used by the Netherlands after Chelsea youngster Ian Maatsen was called up to replace Teun Koopmeiners.
Atalanta star Koopmeiners will miss the tournament with a groin injury suffered while warming up for Monday’s 4-0 friendly win over Iceland.
Dutch coach Ronald Koeman had already ruled Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong out of the tournament with an ankle injury.
But 22-year-old Maatsen, who had been on holiday in Greece, is the only replacement brought into the squad.