Revealed: What Declan Rice said to Slovakia manager Francesco Calzona during fiery full-time exchange after England came from behind to win in last-16 clash

Details have emerged what Declan Rice called Slovakia boss Francesco Calzona when they clashed at the end of Sunday’s Euro 2024 last-16 match.

On Sunday night, England came from behind in dramatic fashion to win 2-1 against Slovakia, after extra-time, to secure their place in the competition’s quarter-finals.

However, despite the victory, there were furious scenes at the full-time whistle, with ITV‘s footage showing Calzona pushing away England midfielder Rice.

Rice was left livid by the incident and had to be held back by team-mates Ivan Toney and Ezri Konsa. Full details of what Rice said to Calzona can now be revealed. 

Expert lipreader Jeremy Freeman told Mail Sport that during the altercation, a furious Rice said: ‘Shut up, p***y, oi, shut up, you bald ****.’ 

Freeman is an expert witness forensic lipreader – certified by the Deafness Cognition and Language Research Centre at University College London.

Calzona later revealed that he wanted to speak to the officials at full-time to complain about their failure to punish England’s time-wasting tactics during extra time.

Harry Kane’s goal in the first minute of extra time, after Jude Bellingham’s late equaliser, gave England the opportunity to wind down the clock to secure their place in the quarter-finals. 

‘Rice was supposed to go to the referees and leave,’ Calzona said. ‘I had to speak to the refs and he wasn’t leaving, he carried on. 

‘But then he apologised and it was all fine. I didn’t like the way the England team were wasting time and not punished.’

Despite the scenes at the end of the game, Rice will be delighted that England eventually managed to prevail. 

Calzona, meanwhile, was left incensed by Slovakia’s late capitulation and vented his frustrations further during his post-match press conference. 

‘The disappointment is huge,’ Calzona added. ‘But I feel more pride than disappointment. We almost won and advanced against the world-class team. We tried very hard, we almost advanced. We failed to advance.

‘In extra time, we spent half an hour in the opponent’s half. I’m proud that we managed it this way and did such a great job.’

Meanwhile, there was further controversy at the full-time whistle after Bellingham appeared to make an obscene gesture towards the Slovakian dugout – before later clarifying that it was ‘an inside joke with friends’. 

A viral social media post showed Bellingham walking alongside England captain Kane, before putting his hand to his mouth, then moving it towards his groin and making a series of movements.

Bellingham, however, was quick to refute claims it was aimed at the bench and clarified the situation, as he wrote on X: ‘An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game. 

‘Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight.’

Many of England’s performances at Euro 2024 so far have been underwhelming but they are through to the quarter-finals, where they take on Switzerland on Saturday.

England boss Gareth Southgate joked that Ivan Toney was ‘disgusted’ with his decision to bring him on in the 94th minute against Slovakia.

Toney made an impact following his introduction as England managed to secure victory.

After the game, Southgate said: ‘There’s no question that Ivan Toney was pretty disgusted when I put him on with a minute to go.

‘I think we’ve made up now! He had a big impact, with the second goal as well. I think if you put a sub on at that time, it’s a last throw of the dice. He maybe doesn’t even touch the ball.

‘I completely understand it. I don’t like putting a player in that position, but I just had a feeling that he might have been able to cause a bit of chaos.’