Declan Rice apology revealed as Slovakia boss makes complaint after England Euro 2024 defeat
Euro 2024: England star Declan Rice clashed with Slovakia boss Francesco Calzona during his side's win on Sunday
PA
Slovakia boss Francesco Calzona has revealed Declan Rice apologised to him after England's 2-1 Euro 2024 win on Sunday night - and complained about the Three Lions 'wasting time' during the closing stages of the match.
Goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane sent the tournament favourites through, with Gareth Southgate's side living to fight another day despite another underwhelming performance out in Germany.
After the game, Rice clashed with Calzona.
The pair could be seen exchanging verbals, with Rice also pushed by a member of the Slovakia backroom staff.
Euro 2024: England star Declan Rice clashed with Slovakia boss Francesco Calzona during his side's win on Sunday
PA
It all died down pretty quickly, with the England star swiftly resuming celebrations with the rest of his team-mates.
Now, Calzona has revealed Rice apologised to him after the fixture - and explained what sparked the spat in the first place.
“Rice was supposed to go to the referees and leave," said the Italian.
"I had to speak to the refs and he wasn’t leaving, he carried on.
"But then he apologised and it was all fine."
Calzona insists he's proud of his team for the way they performed.
But he was unhappy that England players were able to 'waste time' in the closing stages, with the 55-year-old hitting out at referee Umut Meler.
“I am absolutely proud because we played a great match against an opponent in contention for the title, for victory," he said.
"My team showed a lot of quality; we were really good, we conceded very little, and we came very close to qualifying.
"It's a pity. But then we didn't fall apart in the extra time.
READ MORE:England star was 'disgusted' with Gareth Southgate during dramatic Euro 2024 win over Slovakia
“We spent 30 minutes in their half, and it’s a source of pride to see that a team like that brought in defenders and defensive midfielders just to get a result.
"The final result? We have to say that we conceded a goal with just a few seconds left, scored by a player who costs 100 million euros, and this is a squad worth 1.5 billion.
"It's understandable that if you gift them half a metre, they can punish you.
“I don't feel like blaming any player; it's clear that at that moment we needed to be a bit more aggressive, closer to the man, but it went that way.”
He continued: “I absolutely accept the defeat; what I don't accept is obstructionism and only one minute of added time.
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Euro 2024: Declan Rice and Francesco Calzona had a row after England beat Slovakia to reach the quarter-finals
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"Their goalkeeper wasted a lot of time, and I didn't like the refereeing at all, not at all.
“The referee was always near our bench, they never went to the other one. I didn't like that at all.
"But clearly, we didn't lose because of that; I repeat, I am extremely proud of my team.
"If there were any distractions, I'll calmly review them tomorrow, but I told the boys, ‘Well done,’ because they really were [great].”
Rice, meanwhile, said Bellingham's goal was 'crazy' - and praised his England team-mates for never giving up.
Euro 2024: England star Declan Rice had the last laugh with his side beating Slovakia 2-1 in Gelsenkirchen
GETTY
"It is crazy because if that was me that was going over the bar!" he said.
"It was a big moment for a 21-years old, that takes a lot of guts. People don’t understand what you have to go through to get over the line.
“We are not playing against invisible men. They are top footballers, they kept going after us.
"It is about waiting for those moments as the game got stretched we created more.
"The fans tonight I cannot speak highly enough of them. So grateful they are all here to experience that."
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