SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 6 hrs 15 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
EN
Euro Champ Qualifying | Group Stage
Mar 22, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
CR

5-0

Sterling (24', 62', 68'), Kane (45' pen.), Kalas (84' og.)
FT(HT: 2-0)

Gareth Southgate: 'Declan Rice comments will not affect England chances'

:Headline: Gareth Southgate: 'Declan Rice comments will not affect England chances': ID:354118: from db_amp
West Ham man has said sorry for old social media comments.

England manager Gareth Southgate will talk to Declan Rice about old social media posts which appeared to support the IRA, but insists they will not play a part in whether or not he makes his debut on Friday night.

The West Ham midfielder issued an apology on Thursday after old Instagram comments resurfaced, only adding to the spotlight already on the 20-year-old after he switched allegiance from the Republic of Ireland.

Rice's Instagram posts were unearthed on the eve of the Euro 2020 qualifier against the Czech Republic, with one saying 'My brudda. UP THE RA. Wait till we draw England', and another using the hashtag 'UPTHERA'.

Declan Rice has apologised (Martin Rickett/PA)

Capped three times at senior level with the Republic of Ireland, Rice decided to represent England moving forward and was called up by Southgate at the first opportunity after FIFA ratified his application.

Rice moved swiftly to apologise once the old posts were circulated online, writing an Instagram story which read: "I am aware that a poorly-expressed comment I made when I was a junior player has been circulated on social media.

"I recognise now that my attempt to show support for my team-mates at the time could be negatively interpreted.

"While my naive words were not meant to be a political opinion and do not represent who I am, I sincerely apologise for any offence caused."

Rice issued this apology (Declan Rice/Instagram)

The Football Association was quick to react when Rice's comments were published, with an official saying: "We are aware of the matter and will be writing to him to remind him of his responsibilities."

Southgate, too, said he would seek a discussion with Rice, but said the incident would not have an influence on whether he hands the player his maiden England cap.

Asked if he had spoken to Rice, Southgate replied: "I haven't had a chance because it's basically broken as I was on the way down.

"I'll go and just make sure he knows that firstly, that he's OK and that he's supported. I understand that it's not a situation that should just be dismissed but equally the context, the period of time that's passed and his age at the time is all relevant in how we should deal with it.

Gareth Southgate is confident about Rice's character (Steven Paston/PA)

"It won't affect anything in that respect (whether Rice plays or not).

"He's fitted in really well with the team. He's looked excellent. There isn't a player that has been in the squad who I would hesitate to start in the game, so I am very confident in all of them."

Southgate offered a defence of Rice and believes most people will be understanding of the situation.

"That is the perils of social media for any of us with kids," he added.

“I'll go and just make sure he knows that firstly, that he's OK and that he's supported”
- Gareth Southgate on Declan Rice

"You just don't know what that interaction might be. When they're socialising with friends, you're a bit braver in some of your comments or a bit less thoughtful in some of your comments, so I think for all young people that is a danger.

"There are so many positive things about social media, but, as we know, there are lots of negatives.

"It's not representative of what he believes and feels, and his views.

"And outside of that, the obvious point is that this was when he was 15 or 16 when he was engaged in a social conversation with friends.

Rice has switched allegiance (Niall Carson/PA)

"I think any of us at that age, in those sorts of situations have probably said things, discussed things, written things, that might not look the way that'd we'd want (them to) several years later, so I don't think he can say or do any more than he's said at this point in time."

"I think people understand. Most people will have children of those sorts of ages and people are still maturing at that age.

"You're in conversations with friends that, you can get giddy and you can say things that maybe you don't even know enough about or you don't understand the context.

"So, I think our fans and our public will recognise that fact."

Southgate hopes England's fans behave accordingly (Martin Rickett/PA)

Then there is the fact that a minority of England supporters chant anti-IRA songs, as well as "no surrender" during the national anthem.

Asked if the Rice's situation undermines the FA's work to eradicate such issues, Southgate said: "Well, we have to make sure that it doesn't.

"Our message doesn't change, and I think Declan's statement is consistent with that, so we still would be against any of our supporters taking up that sort of stance and I don't think anything changes from an FA or England point of view."

amp_article__354118 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-03-22 08:51:43:
html db last update - 2021-02-16 02:19:46 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Declan Rice

Click here for more stories about England

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .