REFEREE Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli will take charge of England’s European Championship opener against France on Monday.

The 40-year-old, who has officiated in Serie A for 10 years, oversaw the Europa League final between England boss Roy Hodgson’s Fulham and Atletico Madrid in 2010.

England’s Group D opener takes place in Donetsk, Ukraine, where there have been concerns about racism.

Referees have been urged by UEFA president Michel Platini to halt and even abandon matches if players are racially abused by fans.

CAPELLO: Fabio Capello is going to the European Championship – as part of UEFA’s technical team for the tournament.

Capello, who quit as England boss four months before Euro 2012 over the John Terry affair, will be joined by former France and Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier on a panel that will look at the trends and talking points in Poland and Ukraine.

They will then produce a 72- page technical report on the tournament from a coach’s point of view.

Capello’s involvement was revealed less than a week after the controversial Capello Index was confirmed as making a return for the tournament.

ITALY: Italy midfielder Thiago Motta believes Mario Balotelli will be an influential figure for the Azzurri at Euro 2012.

Paris St Germain midfielder Motta knows just what to expect from Balotelli – the pair were Inter Milan teammates in the 2009/10 season – and reckons the volatile Manchester City striker could have a big role to play in Poland and Ukraine.

‘‘We need Balotelli to work for the team, and to show responsibility,’’ Motta said as Cesare Prandelli’s squad continued preparations in Krakow for their opening match of the tournament against defending champions Spain on Sunday.

DEFOE: England striker Jermain Defoe has expressed his gratitude for the messages of support he has received following the death of his father.

Defoe returned to England from Euro 2012 duty yesterday morning after being informed his father Jimmy had lost his battle against cancer.

Although the FAhave confirmed he will be returning at some point, it is too early to say whether Defoe will be back in time for the Group D opener against France in Donetsk on Monday.

‘‘I want to thank the fans, my family and friends, the England boys, the FA and the manager for their support,’’ he said on Twitter.