slammed the ’embarrassing’ behaviour of the England fans who chose to boo Harry Maguire during last night’s 3-0 win over Ivory Coast at Wembley.
The Three Lions continued their preparations ahead of November’s with a comfortable win against their African opponents who were reduced to 10 men when Serge Aurier was given his marching orders five minutes before the break.
Ollie Watkins had already given England the lead and Raheem Sterling effectively made the victory safe with a goal on the stroke of half-time.
Tyrone Mings made it an double of sorts when he scored in the 90th minute but the match was in part overshadowed by the treatment his fellow centre-half Maguire was subjected to.
The Manchester United skipper’s name was jeered prior to kick-off, much to the consternation of manager Gareth Southgate and Maguire’s teammates, including Declan Rice.
Southgate on England fans booing Maguire
‘I thought the reception was a joke, an absolute joke. The way he has performed for us has been absolutely phenomenal. I don’t get it. We’re either all in this together or we’re not.
‘He’s in an England shirt and not only should you support a player in an England shirt regardless, but when you’ve played at the level he has for us and put the performances in he has, it should be total commitment behind him. I don’t get it at all.
‘His performance was pretty faultless really. He stepped out from the back really well for his first goal, was involved in the second one too. The team are totally united. We recognise everyone has difficult moments but he’s a top player and he will come through it.
‘They are real England fans and some are influenced by whatever – social media or players that played previously who are influencing opinion. The club situation is obviously very difficult but he’s in an England shirt.
‘I remember decades ago a few players being booed in an England shirt and it’s never been acceptable to me. Fans should always get behind their team.’
‘Total embarrassment from whoever booed tonight. has been incredible every single time he’s put on the England shirt,’ the West Ham midfielder wrote on Twitter.
‘Absolute nonsense now it’s becoming. Back your own players. Especially with a major tournament coming up.’
Those sentiments were echoed by Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, who said: ‘I can’t get my head around what happened at Wembley tonight.
‘Harry Maguire has been a colossus for England. Without him, the progress that has been made at the last two tournaments would not have been possible. To be booed at his home stadium, for no reason?
‘What have we become? What happened tonight was just wrong. As someone who wants to win with England I feel fortunate to share a dressing room with him. We all feel the same!’
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