Harry Maguire slams England fans who boo players at Wembley
Harry Maguire has slammed any England fans booing players at Wembley, saying they cannot be called proper Three Lions supporters. Maguire played the full 90 minutes as England impressively beat Italy 3-1 on Tuesday night, securing their spot at Euro 2024 next summer.
There were no boos for the Manchester United centre-back, but there was more focus on Jordan Henderson, as he was met with an uncomfortable reception when he captained his country against Australia last Friday. The former Liverpool midfielder has been criticised for his move to Saudi Arabia, seen as hypocritical after his support for the LGBTQ+ community in the past, with homosexuality illegal in the country he now plays his football.
Henderson came off the bench in the second half on Tuesday night to a good reception, with cheers outweighing the boos, although there certainly were some jeers for the 33-year-old. Maguire has no time for anyone voicing their disapproval, saying that anyone who decides to boo cannot be classed as an England fan.
‘Proper England fans don’t boo players,’ he said. ‘They don’t boo players who play for their country and dedicate their life to play and do everything they can to make this country have good memories and special moments for them, the fans and their families. I know a lot of top England fans and they’re the England fans who’ve been with me ever since I made my debut. They’re right behind me and they’re right behind Jordan as well. You hear a lot of cheers, yeah a few jeers, but they’re not England fans.’
Jordan Henderson’s Response
Speaking before the match on Tuesday of the reaction he received last week, Henderson told Channel 4: ‘Of course it hurts. Every time you pull on that shirt it’s a proud moment and I’m playing for my teammates, for the country, for the fans, so of course it hurts but at the end of the day the day that’s part and parcel, I’ve had enough criticism over my career so far to be able to deal with stuff like that. I’m not the first player to get booed and I won’t be the last.’
Henderson also claimed that his presence in Saudi Arabia is a positive as he claims he is taking his progressive values with him. ‘Having someone like myself, with the values that I have in Saudi Arabia is only a good thing,’ he said. ‘Before I went to Saudi, they knew the groups that I’ve supported and helped in the past. Not once has it been mentioned that I can’t do this, can’t say that. Never been