Gareth Southgate has issued a passionate plea for English football fans to behave as he expressed fears that the game could return to the dark days.
The England coach announced his squad for the League of Nations program in the first fortnight of June, with the main topics being the debut calls of James Justin and Jarrod Bowen, the retirement of Fikayo Tomori , the omission of Tyrone Mings and the rest of Jordan Henderson.
England face Hungary and Germany away from home before facing Italy and Hungary at Molineux. Hungary’s qualifier in Budapest will be played behind closed doors due to the bad behavior of the country’s supporters during Euro 2020 and so will the Italian match, a punishment for the embarrassing scenes that tarnished the defeat of England against the same rivals in the European Championship final at Wembley. .
Southgate described having to play a home game without fans as a “shame” and did not punch when he considered the recent wave of field invasions in England, which have seen players and coaches incited and attacked.
The Football Association has just under 3,500 tickets for the German qualifier in Munich on June 7, the first away game in which fans will travel en masse from the match in the Czech Republic in October 2019. With the potential for clear problems, Southgate was asked if he had a message for attendees.
“I doubt they really hear it,” Southgate said. “Because we’re always giving these messages, but frankly, if people are going to cause problems, it won’t make much of a difference to what I’m saying. I just think we’re representing the country … so is everyone who travels and we should be good. ambassadors of our country and leave a good impression.
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England selection
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Pickford (Everton), Pope (Burnley), Ramsdale (Arsenal); Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Coady (Wolves), Guehi (Crystal Palace), James (Chelsea), Justin (Leicester), Maguire (Manchester United), Stones (Manchester City), Tomori (Milan), Trippier (Newcastle), Walker (Manchester City), White (Arsenal); Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Gallagher (Crystal Palace, on loan from Chelsea), Mount (Chelsea), Phillips (Leeds), Rice (West Ham), Ward-Prowse (Southampton); Abraham (Roma), Bowen (West Ham), Foden (Manchester City), Grealish (Manchester City), Kane (Tottenham), Saka (Arsenal), Sterling (Manchester City).
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“Why do we film ourselves mistreating others or making fun of other people or looking for a reaction? Why do people throw their trash when they leave a gas station? The only way we can affect it is with the little things that are chosen … these little things make a difference, this has been demonstrated over the years in different environments.
“It’s unrealistic to expect people to form a large group and take on this challenge, but if a smaller number of people and individuals start having these conversations and wondering why people do certain things, it’s possible for all of us. to make an impact “.
Central Fikayo Tomori, before Chelsea, celebrates the victory of Serie A with Milan. He has been remembered by Gareth Southgate. Photo: Daniele Mascolo / Reuters
The punishment of the FA after the final of Euro 2020 also led to the threat of a second game behind closed doors if there were more problems with the English fans. “We’re on a yellow card, aren’t we?” said Southgate. “We are now ashamed to play behind closed doors at home. Normally, when you look at these things abroad, we all take care of what someone else’s problem is and how that country should be treated. Now it’s us. This is not a good idea in our country.
“When I’m on holiday … you’re embarrassed if English people misbehave because it creates a difficult environment for the next Englishman to travel there. We’re all stained. [Euro] In short, this is his vision of our society. This affects us all, finally.
“We do not want to go back to the fences [at stadiums] and the type of environment you created. At various times in my life, football has become a vehicle for people who want to fight and want to do whatever it takes. We don’t want to go back. The last 25 years have had bright atmospheres on the pitch, the game has been brilliant, families have come back in, women have come back to feel more comfortable. But we are in a difficult time as a country. “
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Southgate said that, as always, broader social issues contributed to the increase in stadium problems. He mentioned the economic difficulties, which “may have played a role”. Southgate added: “We’ve been in a pandemic with huge restrictions for a long time. Alcohol and drugs are part of the equation. [as well] but we seem to accept certain behaviors that are not acceptable and that means everyone is a part of it.
“We still want to host events [in England]. This summer we have a women’s European Championship here and what we experienced last summer at the European Championship was an amazing experience for the team. So we’re talking about something that might cost us a chance to do that kind of thing for people to look at [at us] from the outside. ”