THE 2024 European Championship has coincided with elections in the UK and France, leading to an international tournament played against a backdrop more obviously political than might usually be the case.

Elections taking place in the UK and France at the same time as the Euros have meant that the two big news stories of recent times have been around winners and losers in football and politics.

As discussed in this column’s Euro 2024 preview, international sport is inherently political and geopolitical.