David Beckham Reaches Out To Harry Maguire After ‘Disgraceful’ Abuse
Manchester United and England legend David Beckham has been in touch with Harry Maguire following the ‘disgraceful’ targeting of the defender.
Maguire was jeered and mocked during England’s 3-1 win against Scotland in midweek. The defender, who entered the fray in the second half, scored an own goal to allow the Scots back into the game before Harry Kane sealed the victory.
It was the latest in a growing list of incidents that have seen Maguire roundly mocked, whether that’s by supporters in the stadium or online. Gareth Southgate called the abuse ‘disgraceful’, and accused the media of pouring petrol on the flames of the criticism.
David Beckham’s Support
Beckham is no stranger to the criticism that a Manchester United player can face when playing for England. The midfielder received death threats after he was sent off in the 1998 World Cup against Argentina.
And the Sun say Beckham has reached out to Maguire and told him to keep his head held high. A source told the Sun: ‘Becks told Harry to keep his head up. He knows what it’s like to be targeted. He got through it and is certain Harry can do the same. Getting a message from someone like Becks meant the world to Harry.’
The Growing Problem Of Abuse
The abuse of footballers has become a growing problem in recent years, with players from all levels of the game being targeted. It is not just Maguire who has been targeted, with other players such as Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford also receiving abuse.
The Football Association has launched an investigation into the abuse of Maguire, and have said they will take ‘the strongest possible action’ against those responsible. They have also urged social media companies to do more to protect players from abuse.
The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has also called for tougher sanctions for those found guilty of abusing players. They have said that clubs should be docked points if their fans are found guilty of abusing players, and that those found guilty should be banned from attending matches.
Conclusion
It is clear that something needs to be done to tackle the issue of abuse in football. The FA and PFA have both called for tougher sanctions for those found guilty of abusing players, and it is hoped that this will help to reduce the amount of abuse that players receive.
David Beckham’s support for Harry Maguire shows that there are still people in football who care about their fellow players, and it is hoped that this will help to inspire others to stand up against abuse.
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