Euro 2012 News: England Faces Striker Shortage As Jermain Defoe Flies Home After Bereavement

We’re just one day away from Euro 2012. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait!

Here’s the latest Euro 2012 headlines of the day:

• England’s Jermain Defoe returns home after death of father — The Guardian
• UEFA says players will be yellow carded if they walk off the pitch after being racially abused — Sky Sports
  
• Euro 2012 Preview, History and Key Facts [INFOGRAPHIC] — Soccerlens
  
• Platini: matches will be stopped if players are racially abused — The Guardian
• Shay Given is set to start the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2012 opener — BBC Sport
  
• Trapattoni cancels training to help refocus Ireland players — The Guardian
• Joris Mathijsen is set to miss Holland’s Euro 2012 opener — Sky Sports
• Panorama attacked over ‘sensationalist’ Euro 2012 racism claims — The Guardian
  
• Howard Webb is selected to referee Russia vs Czech Republic on opening day — BBC Sport
• Italian Nicola Rizzoli to referee England versus France — The Guardian
  
• Milan Baros may be forced to sit out the Czech Republic’s opening game — Sky Sports
• Laurent Blanc says France’s defence needs to improve — The Guardian
• Will Poland’s economy benefit from hosting a European Championship? — Just Football
• Ukraine’s players set for €13m bonus if they win tournament — The Guardian
• Alan Shearer says England chances at Euro 2012 are bleak — The Independent
• England are sixth best side in the world, say Fifa rankings — The Guardian