Foreign players ‘shocked’ by Brexit at Euro

AFP, PARIS: At the European football championships on Friday it was left to players from the rest of Europe to express shock that Britain had voted to break away from the European Union.
As the news broke in France, where the 16 remaining teams are preparing for the first knockout round of the continent’s football extravaganza, Italians and Germans spoke of their sadness at Britain’s decision.
Yet England striker Harry Kane, perhaps conscious that his replies would be picked over for any political leanings, said his teammates were not “focused” on the result.
“Obviously we woke up today and saw the news and a few of the lads were talking about it,” Kane told a press conference at England’s base camp near Paris.
“But I don’t think the lads are too focused on it to be honest. The Euros is the main thing, trying to progress and do well in that.
“I don’t think any of us know too much about it to comment on it. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”
Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini though said his team were “shocked” and expressed concern that the result in Britain could have a contagious effect in Europe.
“We’re all a bit shocked. We all went to bed thinking the Remain would win. Unfortunately, that’s not what happened,” he said.
“I think the major worry is, more than anything, the domino effect it could have. It might prompt other states to try to vote out. Maybe others will follow.”
Chiellini said he feared Italy might have come to the same decision in a referendum.
“In general, when there’s a situation in which people are unhappy, they vote to change it,” he said.
“But in all seriousness, I’m not sure Italy would survive such a decision to vote to leave Europe.”
British people chose by 52 percent to 48 percent to quit the EU after four decades of membership, sending markets into turmoil and prompting Prime Minister David Cameron — who had backed the failed ‘Remain’ campaign — to resign.
Michael O’Neill, the coach of Northern Ireland — one of the countries directly concerned by the result — said he was kicking himself for failing to cast a ballot.
“I personally made an error because I didn’t give myself an opportunity to vote by postal vote, so I’m disappointed with that myself for that,” O’Neill said Friday.

Foreign players shocked by Brexit at Euro

AFP, PARIS: At the European football championships on Friday it was left to players from the rest of Europe to express shock that Britain had voted to break away from the European Union. As the news broke in France, where the 16 remaining teams are preparing for the first knockout round of the continents football extravaganza, Italians and Germans spoke of their sadness at Britains decision. Yet England striker Harry Kane, perhaps conscious that his replies would be picked over for any political leanings, said his teammates were not focused on the result. Obviously we woke up today and saw the news and a few of the lads were talking about it, Kane told a press conference at Englands base camp near Paris. But I dont think the lads are too focused on it to be honest. The Euros is the main thing, trying to progress and do well in that. I dont think any of us know too much about it to comment on it. Well just have to wait and see what happens. Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini though said his team were shocked and expressed concern that the result in Britain could have a contagious effect in Europe. Were all a bit shocked. We all went to bed thinking the Remain would win. Unfortunately, thats not what happened, he said. I think the major worry is, more than anything, the domino effect it could have. It might prompt other states to try to vote out. Maybe others will follow. Chiellini said he feared Italy might have come to the same decision in a referendum. In general, when theres a situation in which people are unhappy, they vote to change it, he said. But in all seriousness, Im not sure Italy would survive such a decision to vote to leave Europe. British people chose by 52 percent to 48 percent to quit the EU after four decades of membership, sending markets into turmoil and prompting Prime Minister David Cameron who had backed the failed Remain campaign to resign. Michael ONeill, the coach of Northern Ireland one of the countries directly concerned by the result said he was kicking himself for failing to cast a ballot. I personally made an error because I didnt give myself an opportunity to vote by postal vote, so Im disappointed with that myself for that, ONeill said Friday.