Booing England Players Achieves Nothing, Argues Jordan Henderson

Jordan Henderson taking the knee before England’s Nations League match against Belgium in October. Photograph: Michael Regan/PA
Jordan Henderson taking the knee before England’s Nations League match against Belgium in October. Photograph: Michael Regan/PA
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Booing England Players Achieves Nothing, Argues Jordan Henderson

Jordan Henderson taking the knee before England’s Nations League match against Belgium in October. Photograph: Michael Regan/PA
Jordan Henderson taking the knee before England’s Nations League match against Belgium in October. Photograph: Michael Regan/PA

Jordan Henderson has said fans booing England’s players for taking the knee achieves nothing and proves the fight against racism is far from over.

The row over the anti-racism action has threatened, in England, to overshadow the start of Euro 2020 and has led to Gareth Southgate’s players finding themselves on the end of an angry reaction from a section of supporters before games.

There were jeers before England faced Austria and Romania in recent friendlies at the Riverside Stadium and there are fears the dispute will rumble on when Southgate’s side meet Croatia in their Group D opener at Wembley on Sunday.

Yet the backlash will not stop England taking the knee. Southgate made his case eloquently last weekend, and in an article published on Tuesday made clear his determination to keep using his position to raise awareness of society’s ills. Henderson has echoed his manager’s sentiments by saying his teammates are more determined than ever to take the lead in the fight against discrimination.

“I think it shows that if there’s still people booing because we’re standing together against racism, then there really still is a problem and we’ve still got to fight it and stand together,” England’s vice-captain said. “It shows even more that we have to keep going, keep fighting it. From our side, it’s about being together and doing what we think is right.”

Henderson, who insisted he would be fit to face Croatia after a groin injury, was asked whether booing players achieved anything. “It doesn’t,” he said. “We’ve made it very clear that we all stand together against racism. That’s the reason that we continue to take the knee.

“The lads are starting to feel like they don’t really want to talk about it any more. Of course, everyone knows we stand together and you’ll see that in taking the knee, but we want to get on with the football and concentrate on that. That’s our focus.”

The debate has attracted attention from outside football. Boris Johnson has refused to condemn those who booed the knee before the Austria and Romania games, and there have been controversial comments from Conservative MPs and right-wing commentators.

The concern for England is whether the fuss distracts them in trying to become European champions. There is a desire within the camp to focus on events on the pitch and Tyrone Mings summed up the mood by saying he does not have a message for the fans who will be at Wembley.

However Mings, who could start in defense against Croatia, added that he would always fight for racial equality and the Aston Villa player hopes those on the other side of the fence are not lost causes. “You would like to hope not,” the center-back said.

“You would hope by educating these people, some day they will understand why it is that we are taking a knee. But four or five days before a major tournament, I don’t want to get caught up on whether or not we should.”

Raheem Sterling, one of the most influential figures in the fight against racism, also spoke about against the booing.

“It’s something I didn’t even really want to speak on,” the Manchester City forward told TalkSport.

“But if you can’t understand the meaning behind it and the cause behind it then it’s a real disappointment.”

Southgate aimed to inspire his squad by showing a video on Tuesday about England’s past glories.

“It was about the legacy, about the past players and how important they were,” the Luke Shaw said.

“At the end of the video there was a little bit about us. You got a lot of confidence from watching. I looked around the whole group and felt like everyone had that same feeling.”

In a self-penned article for the Players’ Tribune, Southgate spoke with passion about his role and responsibility.

“I have never believed that we should just stick to football. I know my voice carries weight, not because of who I am but because of the position that I hold. I have a responsibility to the wider community to use my voice, and so do the players.”

The Guardian Sport



Arsenal Must Be Ruthless to Earn Statement Win at Sporting, Says Arteta

Arsenal FC head coach Mikel Arteta attends a press conference at Alvalade Stadium, in Lisbon, Portugal, 25 November 2024. Arsenal will face Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League on 26 November. (EPA)
Arsenal FC head coach Mikel Arteta attends a press conference at Alvalade Stadium, in Lisbon, Portugal, 25 November 2024. Arsenal will face Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League on 26 November. (EPA)
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Arsenal Must Be Ruthless to Earn Statement Win at Sporting, Says Arteta

Arsenal FC head coach Mikel Arteta attends a press conference at Alvalade Stadium, in Lisbon, Portugal, 25 November 2024. Arsenal will face Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League on 26 November. (EPA)
Arsenal FC head coach Mikel Arteta attends a press conference at Alvalade Stadium, in Lisbon, Portugal, 25 November 2024. Arsenal will face Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League on 26 November. (EPA)

Arsenal need to be ruthless to secure a win against Sporting and snap their negative run of form away from home in the Champions League, manager Mikel Arteta said ahead of Tuesday's clash.

Winless in their last four European outings, Arsenal arrive in Portugal following a 1-0 defeat against Inter Milan at San Siro earlier this month.

Arteta's side currently sit 12th in the new Champions League 36-team format, where the top eight teams qualify automatically for the last 16 and the next 16 enter a two-legged playoff to join them.

The Spaniard acknowledged that improving their away form is key to his team's chances in Europe's top-tier club competition.

"It's certainly something we have to improve. We have the right steps, and looking back at the way we played against Inter, we dominated the game and should have won," Arteta told a news conference on Monday.

"But the reality is you have to make it happen, and we didn't. Those steps are what we need to take next - be ruthless and much more efficient in the opposition box.

"We wanted to be higher (in the standings), but it's the position we are in right now.

"We have to play in a way that's going to give us a chance to win the game and fight to do it as quickly as possible. Tomorrow we have a great opportunity to do that."

Sporting, who thrashed Manchester City 4-1 in their last outing, are enjoying an outstanding campaign, remaining unbeaten in second place with 10 points.

Arteta acknowledged the Portuguese champions pose a major challenge for Arsenal but also offer an opportunity for a morale-boosting triumph.

"The run they are on is incredible, which tells you it's not only about their qualities but their ambition and the team energy they have. That's the great challenge we have," he said.

"To come here tomorrow, make a statement, and show that we are capable against this kind of opponent by being ourselves and winning the game."