Nicola Rizzoli to ref England - France match

Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli will take charge of England's European Championship opener against France next Monday.

Nicola Rizzoli
Nicola Rizzoli

The 40-year-old, who has officiated in Serie A for 10 years, oversaw the Europa League final between England boss Roy Hodgson's Fulham and Atletico Madrid in 2010.

England's Group D opener takes place in Donetsk, Ukraine, where there have been concerns about racism.

Referees have been urged by UEFA president Michel Platini to halt and even abandon matches if players are racially abused by fans.