England captain Harry Kane has joined his manager and team-mates in criticising the jeers aimed at Harry Maguire by sections of home fans at Wembley.
The Manchester United captain was subjected to boos when his name was read out over the tannoy ahead of Tuesday night’s 3-0 friendly win over Ivory Coast, while they were then quickly repeated when he first touched the ball during the match.
Such treatment of a key figure in England’s run to last summer’s European Championship final and the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 was strongly condemned by head coach Gareth Southgate, who described it as an “absolute joke”.
Those feelings were echoed by Three Lions midfielder Declan Rice, who slammed the booing as a “total embarrassment” and an “absolute nonsense”.
Jack Grealish blasted the abuse as “ridiculous”, while Jordan Henderson also registered his anger via social media.
Skipper Kane has now joined the chorus of condemnation, insisting that the booing of Maguire - who has struggled notably at club level this season - was “not right” and calling for supporters to behind the centre-back.
We’ve worked hard to rebuild our connection with @England fans in the last few years so to hear @HarryMaguire93 booed at Wembley before kick off was just not right.
— Harry Kane (@HKane) March 30, 2022
“We’ve worked hard to rebuild our connection with England fans in the last few years so to hear Harry Maguire booed at Wembley before kick off was just not right,” the Tottenham striker wrote on Twitter on Wednesday morning.
“The fact that he’s been brilliant on the pitch and given us all so many great memories makes it even harder to understand. He doesn’t deserve that reception.
“He’s got full support in the changing room and should have the same from every England fan.”
