Harry Maguire’s mother has defended her son after he was taunted by England fans during the Three Lions’ win over Scotland.
Maguire was jeered by supporters when he came on as a substitute for the injured Marc Guehi, and unfortunately, he went on to score an own goal in the 67th minute.
Maguire’s mother, Zoe, has now taken to social media to speak out against the abuse her son has received.
She wrote: “As a mum seeing the level of negative and abusive comments which my son is receiving from some fans, pundits and the media is disgraceful and totally unacceptable to any walk of life never mind someone who works his socks off for club and country.”
“I was there in the stand as usual, It’s not acceptable what’s been created, over nothing. I understand that in the football world there are ups and downs, positives and negatives but what Harry receives has gone far beyond ‘football’.
“For me seeing him go through what he’s going through is not ok. I would hate to have to see any other parents or players go through this in the future, especially the young boys and girls breaking through the ranks today.
“Harry has a massive heart and it’s a good job he’s mentally strong and can handle it as others may not be able to. I wish this sort of abuse on nobody.”
England boss Gareth Southgate has also spoken out against the treatment of Maguire, calling it a “joke” and suggesting it is a result of an unfair narrative around the player that has been built over the last few years.
Maguire himself has said that he can handle the taunts from the terraces and is confident of game time at Old Trafford this season.
However, the abuse that he has received is unacceptable and a reflection of the toxic culture that can exist in football.
The bigger picture
The abuse of Maguire is not an isolated incident. There have been a number of other high-profile cases of players being targeted by fans and social media trolls in recent years.
This raises serious questions about the mental health and well-being of players. Football is a high-pressure environment, and the constant criticism can take a toll on even the strongest individuals.
It is important to remember that players are human beings with feelings. They deserve to be treated with respect, even when they make mistakes.
What can be done?
There are a number of things that can be done to tackle the problem of abuse in football.
Social media companies need to do more to remove abusive content from their platforms. Clubs also need to take a stand against abuse and support their players who are targeted.
Fans also have a role to play. They need to be aware of the impact that their words can have and avoid making abusive comments.
Football is a beautiful game, but it is important to remember that it is just a game. There is no need for abuse, even when the stakes are high.