LIVERPOOL HAVE STRENGTHENED their defence for next season with the signing of Ibrahima Konate from German side RB Leipzig.

The Reds said the 22-year-old had agreed a long-term contract, with the deal subject to international clearance.

“I’m really happy to be joining such a massive club like Liverpool,” Konate told his new club’s official website.

“It’s a really exciting moment for me and my family and I am really looking forward to meeting my new team-mates, the staff and getting started on this new chapter.”

Konate is part of France’s U21 squad at the European Championship, but said: “After this competition I know I will be joining one of the best teams in the world and that gives me a great feeling.

“I have worked very hard for many years to get to this point, but I would like to say a big thank you to everyone at RB Leipzig and all the people I worked with there – the coaches, my team-mates, the staff and especially the fans.

“Your support helped me grow up during my time there and become not only a better player, but a better man and I will always be grateful for it.”

Konate represents another acquisition for Liverpool from the Red Bull stable of clubs, having recruited Naby Keita from Leipzig and Takumi Minamino from RB Salzburg.

Konate was with Leipzig for four seasons, having come through the academy system at French club Sochaux.

JACK GREALISH TRAINED away from the main group on Tuesday as England stepped up preparations for Friday’s Euro 2020 game against Scotland.

The Three Lions kicked off Group D with a 1-0 win against Croatia on Sunday, when the Aston Villa captain was an unused substitute.

Grealish was part of the session on Monday but was conspicuous by his absence on Tuesday, when the Football Association said he was “working away from the group”.

The PA news agency understands that the 25-year-old did an individualised programme indoors as he continues to build full fitness after the shin injury that laid him low for three months.

There were 24 members of Gareth Southgate’s squad training at St George’s Park on Tuesday, when Harry Maguire was again involved as he continues to build fitness after ankle ligament damage.

Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale will soon be joining up with the group as replacement for Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

IRISH DEFENDER NATHAN Collins looks set for a move to Burnley after the Premier League side reportedly agreed a fee of €14 million (£12m) with Stoke City. 

20-year-old Collins has made 47 appearances for the Potters since his debut in April 2019 and became their youngest-ever captain at 18.  

The Ireland U21 international is highly regarded, with a number of top flight clubs such as Manchester United linked with his signature in the past. 

Burnley are believed to have had two bids for the Leixlip native turned down in January. 

However, John Percy of The Daily Telegraph and Andy Jones (in The Athletic) are reporting that the Clarets’ latest offer has been accepted by Stoke, who are managed by former Shamrock Rovers and Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill. 

Collins is primarily a centre-half who can also fill in a right full-back. 

Burnley currently have two Irish defenders in Kevin Long and Jimmy Dunne on their books, although the latter’s future at Turf Moor looks uncertain as he has yet to sign a contract extension. 

Robbie Brady is also set to leave the club this summer. 

Updated at 14.28

UEFA’S DECISION to block plans by Munich to light the Allianz Arena in rainbow colours for the Germany-Hungary Euro 2020 match was met on Tuesday with defiance in the Bavarian city which vowed to decorate other landmarks in protest at a law passed by the Hungarian government.

“Uefa is a politically and religiously neutral organisation,” said European football’s governing body in a statement ahead of Wednesday’s match.

“Given the political context of this request — a message aimed at a decision taken by the Hungarian national parliament — Uefa must refuse.”

Munich’s mayor Dieter Reiter slammed Uefa’s decision as “shameful” and announced plans to decorate other city landmarks in rainbow colours in defiance.

“I find it shameful that UEFA forbids us to send a sign for cosmopolitanism, tolerance, respect and solidarity with the people of the LGBTIQ community,” he said.

He plans to put up rainbow-coloured flags at the Munich town hall and illuminate a huge wind turbine located close to the stadium, as well as the city’s 291m-tall Olympic Tower.

Reiter had wanted the Allianz Arena — owned by Bayern Munich — in rainbow colours for the crucial Group F match to “send a visible sign of solidarity” with Hungary’s LGBTIQ community.

Hungary’s right-wing government last week passed a law banning the “promotion” of homosexuality to minors, outlawing any educational programmes or material in which homosexuality is mentioned.

Uefa’s stance also drew criticism from Germany’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) community.

“We find it very disconcerting how Uefa deals with values that should generally be accepted in society,” Markus Ulrich, a spokesman for Germany’s Lesbian and Gay Association (LSVD), told AFP subsidiary SID.

“Uefa has not recognised the signs of the times — and it is clear to see which side it is taking with its decision.”

Clement Beaune, France’s openly gay minister for European affairs has also said he regretted UEFA’s stance.

– ‘Do it, Munich’ – 

Even former England captain Gary Lineker was in favour of seeing the Allianz Arena in rainbow colours.

“Do it, Munich. Do it. Light it up for the world to see. Ah, just do it anyway,” Lineker wrote on Twitter.

While the Allianz Arena will not be lit in rainbow colours on Wednesday, other football stadiums in Germany will.

Berlin’s iconic Olympic Stadium, as well as Bundesliga stadiums in Cologne, Frankfurt and Wolfsburg all plan to be colourfully lit.

“Cologne stands for diversity and tolerance. The developments in Hungary are frightening — it is all the more important to set an example against this,” a spokesman told AFP.

However, Uefa’s stance was welcomed in Budapest, where Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto hailed the “right decision”.

“The leadership of Uefa made the right decision by not assisting in a political provocation against Hungary,” Szijjarto said Tuesday in a statement sent to AFP.

The interim president of the German FA also backed European football’s governing body.

“It is no longer a mere statement in the common fight against any form of discrimination, but a political action,” said German FA interim president Rainer Koch, who also sits on UEFA’s Executive Committee. 

CAPACITY FOR THE Euro 2020 semi-finals and final at Wembley has been increased to 75%, meaning more than 60,000 fans will now be able to attend.

All ticket holders will need to follow a number of strict entry requirements, including having a negative Covid-19 test or proof of full vaccination – two doses received, 14 days before the fixture.

While there has been no announcement on the outcome of talks between the UK Government, the Football Association and Uefa over a workaround solution for quarantine restrictions which would see up to 2,500 VIPs attend the final, this makes a deal even more likely.

“We are thrilled that more fans will now be able to walk through the Wembley turnstiles and enjoy the finals of Euro 2020,” said Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden.

“As we continue to make progress on our roadmap out of lockdown, keeping the public safe remains our top priority.

“We have worked extremely closely with Uefa and the FA to ensure rigorous and tight public health measures are in place whilst allowing more fans to see the action live.

“The finals promise to be an unforgettable moment in our national recovery from the pandemic.”

Uefa had stressed on Tuesday there were no plans to take the semi-finals or final away from Wembley, despite the stumbling block of quarantine-free travel, and president Aleksander Ceferin welcomed the news of increased capacity.

“It is great news that so many fans will be able to watch the final three matches of Euro 2020 at Wembley,” he said.

“The last 18 months have taught us – both on and off the pitch – how integral fans are to the fabric of the game.

“This tournament has been a beacon of hope to reassure people that we are returning to a more normal way of life and this is a further step along that road.

“I am grateful to the Prime Minister and the UK Government for their hard work in finalising these arrangements with us, to make the tournament final stages a great success in Wembley.”

SCOTLAND’S HOPES OF advancing to the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time ended with a sobering 3-1 Euro 2020 defeat by Croatia at Hampden Park.

The Scots, playing in their first major tournament since the 1998 France World Cup, needed a victory in their final Group D fixture to reach the last 16 but despite a big effort fell short again.

Attacker Nikola Vlasic drove in the opener for Croatia in the 17th minute before Callum McGregor gave Steve Clarke’s side encouragement with a leveller three minutes from the break, his first international goal.

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However, just after the hour mark, captain Luka Modric restored Croatia’s lead with a stunning strike from 20 yards before Ivan Perisic headed in a third in the 77th minute to seal the win and take the Croats through, with Scotland finishing bottom of the section with just one point. 

The Scots had not lost to Croatia in their previous five meetings and were hoping to make their own football history.

Clarke made one enforced change to his side, midfielder Stuart Armstrong in for 20-year-old Billy Gilmour who was ruled out after testing positive for Covid-19 following his first start against England at Wembley on Friday night.

Vlasic, Josip Juranovic, Bruno Petkovic and Marcelo Brozovic returned for Croatia.

The Scots roared into the game, winning their first corner within 10 seconds and their second on the back of it, trying not to let their opponents settle.

In the sixth minute attacker Che Adams just missed an in-swinging John McGinn cross by inches with Croatia keeper Dominic Livakovic punching clear for another corner which was repelled.

Adams drove wide from long distance and it was all looking positive for the Scots until they fell behind.

Perisic climbed high above right-back Stephen O’Donnell at the back post to head a deep cross from Juranovic down to Vlasic and he took a touch 10 yards out before firing past defender Scott McTominay and keeper David Marshall, stunning the Tartan Army.

Scotland suffered another blow in the 33rd minute when centre-back Grant Hanley went off injured to be replaced by Scott McKenna, who was booked seconds later for a clumsy foul on Petkovic.

Croatia were dominating the ball and dictating the play but with three minutes of the first half remaining they found themselves pegged back.

Captain Andy Robertson’s cross was only half-cleared to the edge of the box by Domagoj Vida and McGregor took a touch and stepped on to it.

The national stadium held its breath for a moment before the Celtic midfielder drilled it low past the despairing Livakovic.