Gareth Southgate blasts 'embarrassing' England fans ahead of Nations League stadium ban
By Tom Gott
England manager Gareth Southgate has admitted he is ashamed to see the Three Lions hit with a stadium ban for their upcoming Nations League clash with Italy because of fan unrest.
UEFA issued a one-game stadium ban as a result of the chaos in the build-up to last summer's Euro 2020 final which saw hundreds of fans rush into Wembley without tickets, leading to countless other issues.
England also have a suspended one-game ban which will be enforced if supporters cause any problems in the next two years - something which could come into action if the recent string of pitch invasions carries over into the international scene.
"We're on a yellow card and we've got the embarrassment now of playing behind closed doors at home," said Southgate. "Normally, when you watch those things having happened abroad we're all grandstanding about how it's someone else's problem and how this country should be dealt with and now it's us. Again, that's not a good optic for our country.
"We still want to host events. We’ve got a women’s Euros here this summer which should be a brilliant experience for everybody and what we lived through last year was an amazing experience for the team. So we’re talking about something that could cost us the chance of doing those sorts of things because people will look from the outside. There’s so many positives, what we don’t want is this element of it that will distract from the good things that are there."
When asked if he had a message for any supporters planning to cause trouble, Southgate conceded that his words will not be enough to prevent any issues.
"I doubt they’d listen to it, really. Frankly, if people are going to cause trouble, it’s not going to make a jot of difference what I say," he said.
"I just think we’re representing the country, so is everybody that travels, and we should be good ambassadors for our country and leave a good impression. Thousands of football fans every year do that and are welcomed back and greeted warmly by people all around Europe. Everybody that leaves this country and goes on holiday or to football matches has that same opportunity and responsibility."
On the problem of pitch invasions, Southgate added: "It is a concern. When it's in our environment, we have to do all we can to make sure it doesn't happen.
"It's a wider problem, a reflection of where we are as a country. It's a difficult time for people. We are going to have more difficult times because of the economy. We don't want to go back to fences up and the type of environment that created. We don't want to step back. Football's got a responsibility. But what happened here before our final, that wasn't just football supporters, that was people unable to behave, to control themselves, when consuming alcohol.
“Alcohol and drugs are a part of that equation but we seem to be accepting certain behaviours that aren’t acceptable and it means that everybody is part of that. Why are we filming ourselves abusing other people, or taunting other people or looking for a reaction? Why do people dump their rubbish when they drive out of a service station? Those small things make the difference.
“I know that it is unrealistic to expect people to form into a big group and take that challenge on, but if smaller numbers of people and individuals start having those conversations and questioning why people are doing certain things, I think that is something that it is possible for all of us to have an impact on."