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Harry Maguire: "He was a colossus for England."
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IMAGO/Sebastian Frej
England coach Gareth Southgate reacted with incomprehension when his own fans whistled at defender Harry Maguire.
'I thought the reception was a joke.
Total joke,' Southgate said of the behavior of some fans before and during the friendly against Ivory Coast, which England won 3-0 on Tuesday night.
When his name was read out in the line-up, there were just as many boos as when he first touched the ball.
Maguire didn't play badly and was involved in creating the opening two goals.
The difficult sporting phase of Maguire, who is under contract with Manchester United, was a big topic in the run-up.
"I do not get it.
What he's done for us is phenomenal,' said Southgate.
He has absolutely no understanding for the behavior.
'How that's going to help anyone, I don't get it,' Southgate said.
"Harry was incredible for this country at the World Cup, at the European Championship, outstanding."
Teammate Jack Grealish also criticized the fans: "I think it's ridiculous," said the Manchester City professional.
“Harry was unbelievable for this country at the World Cup, at the European Championship, outstanding.
I think even tonight he was brilliant.
It wasn't nice to hear he was being booed and the whole team didn't like it one bit."
England midfielder Jordan Henderson also expressed his incomprehension.
"I can't understand what happened at Wembley tonight," tweeted Henderson, who was not a substitute.
"Harry Maguire was a colossus for England."
Without him, England's development over the past two tournaments would not have been possible, Henderson wrote.
In 2018 England had reached the World Cup semi-finals, in 2020 the European Championship final in their own country.
'What has become of us?
What happened tonight was just wrong.”
bka/dpa/Reuters