Merk to ref England opener

Merk's two assistants for the England game are also German

German referee Markus Merk has been chosen to handle England's Euro 2004 opening game against France on Sunday.

Merk, a dentist who oversaw the 2003 European Cup final, will referee the game with Christian Schraer and Jan-Hendrik Salver running the lines.

Italian referee Pierluigi Collina will take charge of Saturday's opener between hosts Portugal and Greece.

England's Mike Riley will referee his first game of Euro 2004 when Sweden play Bulgaria in Lisbon on Monday.

Collina, who refereed the 2002 World Cup final, said: "I am very happy. It's the first time that I've even been appointed for the opening match of a tournament. An opening match is always special."

Meanwhile, referees have been told to clamp down on players who tackle from behind, dive, or take off their shirts after scoring.

Volker Roth, chairman of Uefa's referees committee, said: "We have the 12 best referees in Europe here, and there are only another four or five in the rest of the world of their quality.

"We have worked closely with the national coaches telling them to pass on to their players what we expect.

"I am sure we will have a very successful tournament played in a fine sporting spirit."