If Ben White is refusing to represent England because of a grudge, he will regret this stance at the end of his career — even more so if it means missing out on Euro 2024.I am certain of it. I should know, too, because I still rue my own refusal in 1998.
I should stress I’m not entirely privy to White’s situation. When he mysteriously flew home from Qatar midway through the 2022 World Cup, the FA cited ‘personal reasons’, before stories emerged that he had fallen out with Gareth Southgate’s assistant Steve Holland over not doing his assigned homework on opponents.
My situation was different. I was midway through a season in which I won the Premier League’s Golden Boot with Blackburn Rovers.
I’d been capped for England against Cameroon in November 1997. Then I was told by Glenn Hoddle that I wasn’t going to be called up for the game against Chile in February 1998.
Instead, I was being demoted to the reserves. I felt wronged so I told Hoddle — stupidly, I might add — where to shove his England B squad. My dad, Mike, had told me not to do it. My manager, Roy Hodgson, had told me not to do it.
I did it anyway and I’ve already admitted on Mail Sport’s It’s All Kicking Off podcast that I was an idiot. I’ve since apologised to Hoddle for questioning his authority so publicly and ultimately, that 24-year-old kid paid the price. I was exiled.
I didn’t make it to the 1998 World Cup. I never won a cap for my country again. It was covered in all the newspapers, my regretful reaction to Hoddle’s snub.
The Daily Mirror ran one poll which asked readers to describe my decision — 51 per cent said I was ‘arrogant’, 29 per cent said ‘stupid’ and 20 per cent said ‘brave’.
There is no winner in this latest situation. England lose, because this is a right-back who has been electric for Arsenal this season, brilliant at overlapping Bukayo Saka and deserving of the new deal he has been handed by his club.
White loses, because he misses out on representing his country, the greatest honour that can befall any footballer.
I don’t buy the talk of this player in his prime not being a fan of football. He seems to enjoy it enough when in an Arsenal shirt.
Maybe the full story will emerge someday, but I’m glad that Southgate has said the door is still open. That was slammed shut for me after my refusal.
Hopefully, we will see White in an England shirt again. If not, he will regret it. Maybe not now, but someday.
meaaeiosuy
0
some people don't talk of white position on pitch keep saying that coach plays Maguire before him, are they playing the same position? try to bring up constructive criticism. if coach plays white at Maguire position, people will talk again that white is playing out of his position. Let's talk whether Ben white can bench Kyle walkers and Alex Anold in that position.
white was a CB at Brighton
nuzabiktuz
0
some people don't talk of white position on pitch keep saying that coach plays Maguire before him, are they playing the same position? try to bring up constructive criticism. if coach plays white at Maguire position, people will talk again that white is playing out of his position. Let's talk whether Ben white can bench Kyle walkers and Alex Anold in that position.
Sugomu, try to understand football, what we're saying is that, they're not playing the same position period. Dadadinni.
mozaciksz
1
Did you tried to solve the issues at hand before the call up? If no, why this hypocrisy? I am sure your citizen felt offended and still in pain over what happened last outing. All you cares is your national team only is it? Very annoying writeup from the writer.
remaelmnoy
1
regret what
Nibklmptz
0
As long as epl is consider the 2 are not playing the same position so no comparison and let me say something Ben w can never win epl players of the month in his life take it or leave it so harry maguire is better then him
Prophet has spoken
Nibklmptz
0
Maguire is better than Ben in his position unless you watch hockey but not football
Like seriously 😳😳😳😳
Nibklmptz
1
olodo white is a centre back, his versatility makes him play RB!
Correct 💯💯💯
Benteke081
0
are u serious about this.........ben white is far better than maguire. the maguire we used to know at the fox is not the one we are seeing at man united.......
As long as epl is consider the 2 are not playing the same position so no comparison and let me say something Ben w can never win epl players of the month in his life take it or leave it so harry maguire is better then him
young_boss
0
You mumu, then why doesn't he bench saliba or manghles?
Boda Odé, is Harry Maguire better than any you mentioned? if you are given those four and you are ask to choose 3, who will you drop?
Benteke081
0
The problem here isn't Ben, the problem is the coach who always the players he likes not the players that are in the form,
Thanks for that talk u have side it all👍
nikekpstyz
1
Address the issue, the reason for not answering the call up.
vemaiklmoz
3
It's freedom of choice
Pizacdeim
1
olodo white is a centre back, his versatility makes him play RB!
You mumu, then why doesn't he bench saliba or manghles?
young_boss
1
some people don't talk of white position on pitch keep saying that coach plays Maguire before him, are they playing the same position? try to bring up constructive criticism. if coach plays white at Maguire position, people will talk again that white is playing out of his position. Let's talk whether Ben white can bench Kyle walkers and Alex Anold in that position.
olodo white is a centre back, his versatility makes him play RB!
Kazimnuyz
1
Sharap, regret what with which confused fellow as a coach in the name of southgate, that do not even kw what to do when it comes to selecting players, with the wide range of English players yet he could not bring out the best of squad, and the number of years he has been there as a coach could not get a better style or system of play, with all that we see individual talent on the players year in , year out, bcuz he has no clue as a professional coach ,jst confusing the whole country in the name of a name, i don't kw the juju he is using in the English Football Federation, to still kp him there, too bad
OverloadElidemaskino
0
U are just a troll who has absolutely zero football knowledge,get lost and find something to do cos it seems you are jobless
you're only trying to prove yourself as a wise man because of the keyboard that you're using to type shit and nonsense Which is making you to think you're know everything in life even about the people you don't know. but what I can assure you is that Arsenal will never reach Manchester united success no matter how much you can hype and overrate them that teach and club is club of little babies who just came off from their mothers breast and stop sucking milk but still not yet ready for solid food. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🚶🏽♂️🚶🏽♂️🚶🏽♂️🚶🏽♂️👿😈👹🥶☠️☠️☠️💀💀
Jutabiloty
3
You can go to hell Chris Sutton,Ben White has not refused to play for his national team but has refused to play for Gareth South Gate.
nuzabiktuz
2
some people don't talk of white position on pitch keep saying that coach plays Maguire before him, are they playing the same position? try to bring up constructive criticism. if coach plays white at Maguire position, people will talk again that white is playing out of his position. Let's talk whether Ben white can bench Kyle walkers and Alex Anold in that position.
jooabckouy
0
Starting Maguire over White and you still want to honor this call up...
are u serious about this.........ben white is far better than maguire. the maguire we used to know at the fox is not the one we are seeing at man united.......
vesbcilmru
0
I can dribble pass that guy all day long and Arteta would sub him off with an injury........ that guy with his moustache should join movie industry overrated and over hyped for nothing 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
U are just a troll who has absolutely zero football knowledge,get lost and find something to do cos it seems you are jobless
OverloadElidemaskino
0
Have you ever kick a football in your entire life foolish man united bum
I can dribble pass that guy all day long and Arteta would sub him off with an injury........ that guy with his moustache should join movie industry overrated and over hyped for nothing 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Niudempu
0
Starting Maguire over White and you still want to honor this call up...
Maguire is better than Ben in his position unless you watch hockey but not football
benaimpsz
3
ratg x u
Koaaeiprst
0
Southgate is just playing safe mind games and putting all the blame on white by saying so...
Koaaeiprst
0
The problem here isn't Ben, the problem is the coach who always the players he likes not the players that are in the form,
Southgate is a problem..he select players which he likes not on their form
lawabmnotu
6
The problem here isn't Ben, the problem is the coach who always the players he likes not the players that are in the form,
GavivinaGator
6
Starting Maguire over White and you still want to honor this call up...
iheakaram1997
0
If you think Ben is problem, better you ask Gareth southgate.. The problem is Southgate. Inform or not inform, Ben still in the bench.. Not play single game.. He only play the player who his like. That is Southgate, he never care about player inform or not inform..
he would rather play Maguire even when Maguire is not in form
GunnersJay
3
took him to euros and wc and not giving him single minute alone is criminal. not a not to talk of man handling him in front of his teammates
jahbmnouz
1
If you think Ben is problem, better you ask Gareth southgate.. The problem is Southgate. Inform or not inform, Ben still in the bench.. Not play single game.. He only play the player who his like. That is Southgate, he never care about player inform or not inform..
cuzdeiklru
1
rubbish talk, is England the best country in the world?
limemoptyz
1
u are not white ,leave Ben alone n respect his decision
Mebacoy
1
Southgate And Chocolate Boys 😂😂
Hipacnoy
3
This guy is forgetting that football only exist for Ben when he is in the field, if he go home he switched to something else
hanelnryz
1
It's useless to be selected and not given chance to play
Lepbdektuy
1
England will not win any thing a banter country
Pubabeipry
0
lol yeah I think he's okay to stay away rather than causing problems in the camp for me it a good idea to backoff
Definitely, even myself won't accept Maguire to be ahead of me
vesbcilmru
1
that guy is a flop and overrated for nothing. it's just that he's playing alongside good center backs in Saliba and Gabriel 🚶🏽♂️🚶🏽♂️🚶🏽♂️
Have you ever kick a football in your entire life foolish man united bum
Lenceiopu
4
Ben is intelligent and mature he hid the real reason to protect some people I'm sure there's something serious under the carpet. Leaving in the middle of the world's most prestigious competition (world cup) is not easy
Yeobdeiopr
3
There is a reason behind all this.Nobody doesn't want to represent his country. Remember he left Qiatar in the middle of a world cup Bizarre
moemnorsuz
3
southgate called Ben after he has been called by edu gasper about Ben playing for england,,, Ben will regret nothing why is he not regretting all these been left out for england
OverloadElidemaskino
0
that guy is a flop and overrated for nothing. it's just that he's playing alongside good center backs in Saliba and Gabriel 🚶🏽♂️🚶🏽♂️🚶🏽♂️
Sullietmercy
2
That is a criminal case of intimidating someone.
Maplmoprsz
1
Just imagine him going there and have to be benched for Maguire 😂😂😂
Yeah; just imagine
nukaelprt
2
There is nothing iin refusing a call
yepacimnuy
4
White come play in Namibia team
Sorman101
0
ben white never refused england ok. if he is called he will answer. that's All.
Southgate said he told him that he don’t want to play
konabcepu
2
ben white never refused england ok. if he is called he will answer. that's All.
Rikacdirsu
0
Just imagine him going there and have to be benched for Maguire 😂😂😂
lol yeah I think he's okay to stay away rather than causing problems in the camp for me it a good idea to backoff
Kunabrsuy
1
every man has right to choose what he wants and White is not exempted. some coaches lack respect for their players and is not every player dream to play for the national team.