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Gareth Southgate believes England can benefit from Manchester City’s Champions League success after they beat Inter Milan in Saturday’s final. Southgate has included five members of Pep Guardiola’s side in his squad for this month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, with John Stones, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips all due to join up with the squad after enjoying their celebrations. With City’s success coming after Declan Rice lifted the Europa Conference League with West Ham earlier in the week, Southgate said it can be good for the national team. “It’s absolutely brilliant for all our guys who have been involved,” Southgate said in a video on England’s social media. “To start with Declan, his first experience of lifting a trophy so… fabulous for him. You can see the emotion having been at the club for so long and what it meant to him. “Then the boys at Manchester City have had a phenomenal season, an absolutely incredible season, and of course that’s been the Holy Grail for them to get this final trophy that they hadn’t won up until now. “I’m delighted for all of them. It’s great to see them enjoying themselves and also it’s brilliant for us as a group. “We’ve got so many experiences now of individual players winning big trophies, and that’s so important for our development as a team. It’s fantastic on all counts.”

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Uefa are facing more pressure about their ability to stage major events, as another Champions League final descended into “dangerous” chaos, and supporters complained that the situation again put their safety at risk. Among a series of serious issues faced at Istanbul’s highly-criticised Ataturk Stadium for Manchester City’s victory over Internazionale were: Supporters forced to travel on shuttles for up to three hours without water or toilets A total lack of guidance and minimal travel options post-game, which left elderly fans and those in wheelchairs forced to traverse a mile of slip road in order to hail down gridlocked taxis, which charged up to €200 Only two concession stands for an entire end of fans, creating waits for simple cartons of water for up to two hours Fewer than 20 toilets serving 20,000 people in the fan zones Fans having to abandon transport and climb over scrubland and “building site” surroundings to even make kick-off The organisation of the event has been described by attending fans as a “dangerous mess”, with supporters incredulous at how a major event in 2023 could be held in such a poorly-equipped stadium over 20km from the city centre. One of the problems that immediately became visible was that the Ataturk really only has two access routes from a notoriously congested city infrastructure, a narrow road system and a recently built metro. Both inevitably became completely gridlocked as early as six hours before the 10pm kick-off with the problem getting worse three hours after the game ended. Some stories involve supporters vomiting on the two-hour-plus shuttle trips due to the lack of water, and people bursting into tears due to the stress from waiting so long to go to the toilet. Questions have been raised within the game about how and why the Ataturk Stadium was selected, especially as President Recep Erdogan has been so keen to host major football events for so long. As one prominent football figure confided to the Independent: “No way should this stadium be hosting a Champions League final”. The problem was all the worse given Istanbul’s staging of the final was already postponed twice in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid, which should have allowed ample preparation time. It only follows the near-disaster that was the 2022 final at Paris’ Stade de France involving Liverpool and Real Madrid, which prompted a wide-ranging and excoriating review from Uefa. The European governing body has been contacted for comment, but sources within the organisation insist that the review made a series of recommendations they are continuing to act on. It was in the aftermath of Paris that Uefa signed a memorandum of understanding with Football Supporters Europe, and the representative group were an active party in site visits to the Ataturk prior to the final. While sources insist the venue “seemed OK” on those visits, fans have been amazed at the acceptance it was a suitable given how obvious the travel issues alone were. A number of people came forward to the Independent to explain the worrying chronology of the day, such was the concern with what happened. Nick Stapleton, a City season-ticket holder and freelance journalist first introduced to the club as a child by his father, the longtime TV presenter John Stapleton, who has been attending since the 1950s. They could sense issues developing early in the day. One of the immediate complications was that Uefa had advised Inter supporters to travel by metro and City by shuttle. “There was already a huge queue for the buses at 4pm, and there were no facilities at all, which we were warned about,” Stapleton says. “So we brought water and prepared for the fact there wasn’t a loo. But we were stood there in the heat for 45 minutes and when we eventually got on the buses, police and stewards took our water off us as we couldn’t bring anything from outside into the stadium. “Our bus took two hours, but others took three, with no water or toilets for all that time. One guy threw up on the bus because of the heat, with that then spilling around the surface. Others were so desperate for the toilet that they were peeing out windows and gaps, and we were told of another bus where someone had to demand the driver pull over.” The long travel time for a journey that can usually take 40 minutes was because of complete gridlock around the stadium. Metros were also over-capacity at least five hours before kick-off. Ger Gilroy, an Irish broadcaster, was one of many who had to resort to desperate alternatives. “We had to abandon our minibus and scale a steep briar-infested scrubland to make it in time for kick-off,” he said. “Before we got there we had to shimmy down a stone wall and jump over an open sewer!” A number of those attending complained that the “horrible logistics” around the stadium even after arriving were just not fit for purpose, with too few signposts or even access routes. A common line, articulated by Stapleton, was that it was “a building site”. One elderly fan, who declined to be named, said he had to walk 6km around the stadium to get to their entry point. Inter fans meanwhile found that metro stations closest to the stadium were eventually closed due to congestion. Stapleton, whose father is 77 and recently had a hip operation, encountered similar difficulties. “The first thing we did when we arrived was go to the fanzone for the loos. Dad was already feeling the heat, and feeling frail and tired. But the loos were just a collection of caravans, maybe 10-15 toilets for 20,000 people. “Female fans couldn’t just pee on the fence, so they were queuing for an hour. One woman told me she burst into tears at one point as she was so desperate. “We then went into the stadium around 7:30pm, although a bottleneck already started to build up as there was a bag search, ticket check and pat-down search again. At that point it was fine, so I said to dad he should go and sit down and I’d get water. We hadn’t had any since ours was taken off us three hours prior. We also hadn’t had food. “We were in block 333, the far left side of the lower tier, where 10 to 15,000 of City’s 20,000 fans were. There were only two concession stands - two - with six people serving each, and only four card machines. This was an event sponsored by Mastercard and had four machines, and one of those broke down. That meant it took me one hour and 45 minutes to buy water. People were going mad. I felt for the guys running the stall, as they were completely overwhelmed. It then cost almost 50 euro for two pieces of cheap meat, two cartons of water and a bottle of Pepsi. “The game itself was an incredible experience. My dad was crying at the final whistle, and it was amazing to experience it with him. “But that’s part of it as regards any incentive to change. Loyal football fans are always going to go through hell and high water for the once-in-a-lifetime experience of watching your club win the Champions League. “After the players lifted the trophy, we made our way out of the ground about 1pm, expecting the same system as before the game.” It was here when the worst problems actually began, though. One individual who was among the party for Inter players’ families, but declines to be named for reasons of discretion, explains the situation at their end. He says: “Our exit from the stadium was dangerous. Everyone was filtering through one small exit, which wasn’t big enough for two people to pass through. Thousands were trying to get through this, and then onto crumbling steps into the car park. “From there, families were walking down the sides of motorways trying to find cabs. It was dangerous.” Stapleton found the same experience from the other side. “What emerged when we got to the waiting area was there was no help, only a few signs, and the two buses for our area were already full. Loads of City fans were confused, not knowing what was going on. “There was also gridlock due to a huge queue of taxis coming and buses trying to get out. The road was only so wide, with two cars door to door if they tried to go through at the same time. Nobody seemed to be taking any control of this. “So even people on the buses were stuck there until 3am. We were among thousands of City fans walking down the motorway and picking our way through traffic, a lot of them elderly or even in wheelchairs. This was another thing as the stadium was not really wheelchair-accessible. “This was not safe, and my dad did not seem comfortable. He was exhausted, and when you have a hip replacement one of the big risks is a fall as you need to have it reconstructed. “When we eventually found a taxi, one wanted €200 to take us back. A second said €100 and we took it as we were scared and in a bit of a panic. “So many fans were in the same situation. Istanbul is a great city but I don’t understand why they chose to send us to that stadium, it’s insane. When it’s that much of a challenge to even have water.” Uefa, Football Supporters Europe, Manchester City and Internazionale have been approached for comment. Read More Pep Guardiola ended 12 years of hurt thanks to masterful midfield reinvention Man City secure landmark Champions League victory that stretches beyond historic treble Romelu Lukaku has another harrowing moment to ponder as Inter fall short Inter Milan can hold heads high after Champions League loss, says Simone Inzaghi Manchester City’s Champions League celebrations in pictures Kevin De Bruyne could miss start of new season after hamstring injury

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Former Scotland striker Kenny Miller believes the national team have strong options up front as they approach their latest qualifiers amid the absence of Che Adams. Adams has been a key player in recent times but Lyndon Dykes started up front in Scotland’s 2-0 win over Spain after the Southampton forward suffered an injury in the opening Euro 2024 qualifying win against Cyprus. Dykes has scored eight goals for Scotland and Miller feels there are other serious alternatives for Steve Clarke ahead of Saturday’s clash with Norway in Oslo and the visit of Georgia three days later. Miller told the PA news agency: “Lyndon was crucial to the team making it to the last Euros, sometimes on his own and sometimes with Che. “I think Lyndon had it nailed, Lyndon had the jersey to himself but Che came in and did very well when he was injured. “It’s good Steve has the options up front. “Jacob Brown has been a support act but we have Kevin Nisbet and Lawrence Shankland who have had good seasons, particularly Lawrence at Hearts. So there’s a lot of options.” Miller, who scored 18 goals for his country, added about the Hearts forward: “I think he’s a really well-rounded striker with a really good level of goals. “He’s had a wonderful season – 28 goals is a wonderful return for a striker outwith the Old Firm. “But not just that, I think his all-round game is pretty good. “He seems to have accepted the responsibility of the captain’s armband in Craig Gordon’s absence really, really well. “It’s a big responsibility, one that’s not affected him in a negative way. If anything it has affected him in a positive way.” Scotland have a guaranteed play-off place as a fall-back option but Miller is confident they can finish in the top two of Group A following their flying start. Clarke took the squad on a training camp to Spain last week to prepare for the double-header and further foment the spirit among the players. Miller, who was speaking after taking part in a McDonald’s Fun Football session with children in Glasgow, said: “People talk about this club atmosphere but what it means is that the team has been doing well and everyone wants to be part of it and everyone is looking forward to going away. “The group do look like they have got this spirit and togetherness but it comes from what they have created on the pitch. “It’s been really good performances and really good results, none more so than the last game against Spain where the lads were excellent and really deserved the win. “And what it has done is put us in a really strong position going into these qualifiers. “That means we can potentially forget about this play-off position and get there automatically, which I do believe we can. “I don’t want to put too much pressure on but I do believe we will.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Ruthless Australia gear up for Ashes by being crowned Test world champions Southern Vipers romp to successful Charlotte Edwards Cup defence The hamstring just snapped – Kevin De Bruyne reveals long-running injury battle

Kevin De Bruyne revealed he was carrying an injury throughout the closing stages of Manchester City’s glorious treble triumph. De Bruyne was not on the field as City capped a stunning season by winning the Champions League on Saturday, having finally succumbed to a long-standing hamstring problem. The inspirational Belgian playmaker was forced off after 35 minutes of a hard-fought final against Inter Milan in Istanbul, which City went on to win 1-0 with a 68th-minute strike from Rodri. De Bruyne said: “I give everything for my team and the people in the club know that. I feel proud that I’ve been able to do what I did. “It’s a shame that it went the way it did for me here, but we go away winning the Champions League so there’s nothing bad towards it. “I felt all right this week, but I’ve been told for two months it was a risk – but, you know, you take it. “I did what I had to do. Obviously I missed some games, but the games like Arsenal, Bayern (Munich) and (Real) Madrid I managed to do it. “I had some personal things happen with my family on top of that and I managed that, but, here, the hamstring just snapped.” I’ve been told for two months it was a risk – but, you know, you take it Kevin De Bruyne It was the second time De Bruyne had been forced off in a Champions League final after he suffered a bad facial injury in the loss to Chelsea two years ago. Yet, after City came through, he did not want to dwell on his personal misfortune. “I don’t look at football that way,” he said. “It is what it is. “I felt the team was able to manage it and do their job. OK, the injury is never nice, but I was there for my team and did what I needed to do. “I felt OK in the 35 minutes I played and I can’t expect more from myself.” Victory fulfilled a long-held ambition for De Bruyne after enjoying considerable domestic success in his eight years at City. He said: “I’ve basically been fighting all my career with my team to win this medal. “I still don’t think it defines my career – I know who I am as a football player and person and I am happy and proud of the person I am – but obviously you want to win.” Much has been made of what the victory could mean for City, both as a platform for the current team and for the status of the club as whole, but De Bruyne feels that is a matter for another day. He said: “That’s not something I’m really thinking about right now. The season is so long we should just enjoy this moment. “We’ve had subdued parties up until now, but now we can really enjoy it for a couple of days, as we should. “We’ve not lost one game in the Champions League this season so I think we deserve it.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Josh Taylor says move up to welterweight is ‘imminent’ after first career defeat Manchester City’s Champions League celebrations in pictures Pep Guardiola: Manchester City ‘part of history’ after winning Champions League

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Hello again, from an even sunnier London. Once we put away the SPF 50 and take off the

Manchester City beat Inter Milan 1-0 to win the Champions League and complete the treble at the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul. Rodri scored the second-half winner for Pep Guardiola’s side to add to their success in the Premier League and FA Cup. Here, the PA news agency picks out some of the best images from the celebrations in Turkey and at home. Treble winners Sealed with a kiss All smiles Party time for Haaland Family affair Safe hands The boss The fans Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Pep Guardiola hailed his players for writing themselves into history after Manchester City finally claimed Champions League glory. City secured the prize they have craved for so long when they beat Inter Milan 1-0 in a hard-fought final in Istanbul on Saturday night. Rodri scored the only goal of a tough contest in the 68th minute at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium, landing City’s first European crown after several years of near misses and completing the treble. Guardiola hopes all of City’s successes, including their five Premier League titles in the past six years, will now be given due credit without the shadow of Champions League under-achievement hanging over them. The City manager said: “Especially this season, the entire world has said if we don’t win the Champions League we will not be complete, it will not be enough. “Winning these five Premier Leagues and arriving in three semi-finals, and two finals, is exceptional, but everyone says, ‘no, you have to win’. “But winning the Champions League every season is difficult unless you are Real Madrid. The other ones sometimes arrive and do it. “Not just for me, for the club, for our CEO and players – we had everything but not the Champions League, as if the Premier League is nothing. “So I like this competition for the fact we won it, to be part of history. The players know they will be remembered for the rest of their lives. “But now give credit for the five Premier Leagues we won in six years. “It is important because people now forget about it and focus on creating a museum to put all our trophies in, because what we have done in the last years is unbelievable, not just the Champions League, but many titles.” City had to dig deep to claim the trophy against a determined Inter side. The Italians sat deep to soak up pressure but, with City also lacking their usual sparkle and losing Kevin De Bruyne to injury in the first half, they grew in confidence. Inter were just beginning to assert themselves when Rodri broke the deadlock, driving from the edge of the area after a Bernardo Silva pass was deflected into his path. They then lived on the edge with Federico Dimarco hitting the bar and having another good chance before Romelu Lukaku was denied by Ederson in the dying moments. City will now celebrate their treble with an open-top bus parade in Manchester on Monday. Guardiola has said he hopes City’s Champions League win will prove the first of many but his tongue was firmly in cheek as he responded to a question over whether the club could build a dynasty like Real Madrid. “We are just 13 Champions Leagues away from them – just 13!” he said. “So be careful Real Madrid because we are on our way. If you sleep a little bit we will catch you.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live MMA great Amanda Nunes retires after win over Irene Aldana at UFC 289 Rory McIlroy in striking distance as he chases Canadian Open hat-trick Sunny Edwards defends world title with unanimous win over Andres Campos