Harry Maguire insists ‘proper England fans don’t boo players’ after Jordan Henderson was jeered at Wembley – having previously been targeted by supporters for club and country

• Jordan Henderson was booed in England’s matches against Australia and Italy 
• Harry Maguire has backed his team-mate following the jeers at Wembley 
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ 

Harry Maguire has ridden to the defence of Jordan Henderson after the midfielder was booed by England supporters during their two matches in the international break.

Henderson was jeered when he was subbed off in the second half at Wembley in the Three Lions’ 1-0 friendly win against Australia on Friday.

The match was the first England had played at home since Henderson made his controversial move to Saudi Arabia.

Henderson received cheers but some audible boos when he was brought on as a substitute in England’s 3-1 win over Italy on Tuesday, a result that sealed qualification for Euro 2024.

Maguire has hit out at fans who decided to boo Henderson across the two matches, insisting that they are not real supporters of the team.  

Jordan Henderson has been booed by a section of England fans during the international break

Harry Maguire defended Henderson and claimed that proper England fans don’t boo players

Henderson received both cheers and boos when he came on against Italy on Tuesday night

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‘Proper England fans don’t boo players,’ Maguire said, as reported by the BBC.

‘Don’t boo players who dedicate their life to play and do everything they can to make this country have good memories and have special moments for them and their families.

‘You heard when he came on the cheers and a few jeers, but they aren’t England fans.’

Maguire has himself faced boos when playing for both Manchester United and England over the past two years.

The central defender was notably booed by England fans during games against the Ivory Coast and Germany in March and September in 2022.

A section of Three Lions fans jeered Maguire’s name when it was read out ahead of the matches.

England team-mates, including Henderson, rallied around Maguire after the match against the Ivory Coast.

‘I can’t get my head around what happened at Wembley tonight,’ Henderson wrote at the time.

Henderson has admitted that he felt ‘hurt’ after being booed off against Australia on Friday

The former Liverpool captain has been criticised for his decision to move to Saudi Arabia

Maguire has previously been booed when playing for both England and Manchester United

‘Harry Maguire has been a colossus for England. Without him, the progress made at the last two tournaments would not have been possible.

‘To be booed at his home stadium for no reason? What have we become? What happened tonight was just wrong.

‘As someone who wants to win with England I feel fortunate to share a dressing room with him. We all feel the same!’

Henderson is now the latest England player to be targeted, with the 33-year-old admitting being jeered against Australia ‘hurt’ after being told that some fans were unhappy with his decision to move to Saudi Arabia.

The former Liverpool captain has been criticised for moving to the nation in the summer given Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and homosexuality being illegal in the country.

Of course it hurts because every time you pull on shirt it’s a proud moment, playing for team-mates, country and fans really,’ Henderson told Channel 4.

‘Of course it hurts but that’s part and parcel of it, I have had enough criticism over career to have stuff like that.

‘I asked that question after the game and a journalist said it’s because I play in Saudi Arabia. That’s a decision I made few months ago but it doesn’t change who I am as a person.’

Henderson previously advocated for LGBTQ + rights during his time at Anfield and has since faced backlash from fans after agreeing to move to the Middle East where he reportedly earns £700,000-per-week.

Gareth Southgate said after England’s win over Australia that boos for Henderson ‘defied logic’

Gareth Southgate has been a staunch backer of Henderson, with the England boss claiming last week that the midfielder being booed ‘defied logic’. 

‘I really don’t understand it,’ said Southgate. ‘He is a player who has won 79 caps for England. His commitment and what he has delivered for England is exceptional.

‘His role within the group both on and off pitch is phenomenally important.

Southgate rejected the suggestion that the boos were because Henderson recently posted in support of Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the World Cup in 2034. ‘What does that have to do with supporting a guy that’s wearing an England shirt? 

‘I don’t know where we are really heading with everything,’ he said before adding sarcastically: ‘I am hugely impressed with the impeccable values and decisions that everyone in our country is making now. I don’t understand it.’

Southgate also defended Maguire last month, blasting pundit criticism of the defender as ‘an absolute joke’.

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