Argentine keeper vows to miss training if England win

4 hours ago

Lynette HorsburghNorth West

News image — Franco Ravizzoli says he will wear an Argentina shirt to training on Thursday if they win - but if England win he will not turn up

BBC Blackpool goalkeeper Franco Ravizzoli wearing a black Blackpool football team top standing behind the goal at the training ground on a sunny day. He is laughing. — Franco Ravizzoli says he will wear an Argentina shirt to training on Thursday if they win - but if England win he will not turn up

Blackpool's Argentine goalkeeper has said he has been enjoying banter with his English teammates ahead of the World Cup semi-final showdown.

Franco Ravizzoli, 29, has been on the receiving end of stick from his teammates after he turned up to training wearing an Argentinian jacket.

The goalkeeper has vowed to wear his national flag and shirt on Thursday if Argentina beat the Three Lions in the game in Atlanta at 20:00 BST.

But he said he would stay at home and not go to training if his team, who are the current world champions, lose.

He admitted he had started the banter at the club himself on Monday, so could not blame anyone else for the backlash from his teammates.

He told BBC North West Tonight: "I started it to be fair as I came to training wearing an Argentinian jacket so now they are giving it back to me a little bit.

"At least I have got Scottish and Irish players here."

Ravizzola added: "I know both teams haven't been playing the best football but when it comes to the World Cup it is all about winning really.

"Hopefully it is a good game and hopefully we get the win."

PA Media Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, in their white England shirts, with their arms around each other as they salute the fans after being Norway — England booked their place in the semi-final against Argentina after they beat Norway 2-1 in the quarter-final

The League One side's manager, Ian Evatt, has joked that Ravizzoli would be banned from training if Argentina beat England, he said.

But Ravizzoli vowed that if his country was victorious he would not stay away and would be celebrating in style.

"If Argentina win I am coming with a flag and a shirt but if we lose I don't think I'll turn up," he said.

"I'll stay at home."

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