There was a routine 3-0 win for England tonight in a friendly over the Ivory Coast at Wembley. The biggest talking point from the match came before kickoff, when Harry Maguire was booed by England fans when his name was announced over the tannoy.
England defender Harry Maguire was booed by some sections of the crowd ahead of the friendly against the Ivory Coast at Wembley.pic.twitter.com/bB0P8GaIUo
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 29, 2022
Harry Maguire booed by a significant number of the Wembley crowd.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) March 29, 2022
Mild-mannered Gareth Southgate absolutely tore into his own supporters for booing the Manchester United captain in a post-match interview with Sky Sports.
Gareth Southgate defends Harry Maguire
🗣 "I thought the reception was a joke, an absolute joke. What he has done for us, the way he has performed for England, I don't get it"
Gareth Southgate was FURIOUS after Harry Maguire was booed by some England fans ahead of the friendly against the Ivory Coast 😡 pic.twitter.com/GwGSApw7aj— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 29, 2022
He said:
"I thought the reception was a joke, an absolute joke. What he has done for us, the way he has performed for England, I don't get it. We're either all in this together or we're not. He's in an England shirt. Not only should you support someone in an England shirt regardless, but when he's played at the level he has and put in the performances for us that he has, it should be total commitment behind him. So I don't get that at all."
Southgate called Harry Maguire's performance 'faultless' this evening and said the team was united behind Maguire, who has been on a woeful run of form this season
The Manchester United captain was slated for a cupped-ear goal celebration that followed a headed goal against Albania back in November. His form has only gotten worse.
Speaking ahead of the friendly, Southgate admitted he faced a 'complicated decision' regarding finding a role for the world's most expensive defender.
“He was very good for us in the fall and the club is going through a tough time. There could be a number of reasons for that. But that doesn’t mean players can be poor for a few years and then find their place. path and sometimes it depends on competition for positions.
“We obviously left out some attackers who weren’t in good shape. But there are direct replacements, experienced replacements for these players. So, like I said, it’s a complicated decision.
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