Ben White’s boos by England supporters during Friday’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay “disappointed” Thomas Tuchel, but he believed the Arsenal defender should “take it on the chin.” A portion of the 80,581 spectators jeered White as he made his first appearance in four years as a substitute in the 69th minute.
After scoring his first goal for England, the 28-year-old was jeered once again before giving up a stoppage-time penalties for a foul on Federico Viñas, which Federico Valverde converted.
White departed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar early for what the Football Association at the time said “personal reasons,” but ESPN and other media sources revealed that it was actually a dispute with the coaching staff of then-manager Gareth Southgate.
White was not picked again until Tuchel switched to the right-back when Jarell Quansah withdrew from his most recent squad due to injury, as Southgate subsequently disclosed that White had refused a future call-up. “I [was told] that he was booed,” Tuchel remarked. “I was engrossed in the modifications and directions, so I didn’t hear it on the pitch.
England boss Thomas Tuchel defends Ben White
“I heard that he was booed,” Tuchel stated at his news conference following the game. “I was interested in the modifications and directions, so I didn’t hear anything on the pitch; therefore, I don’t think it can be the majority.
“I am unhappy because, of course, we defend our players, and he was fantastic in camp and deserved to come on. However, there were some jeers and mixed reactions for him. He deserved to start as well and helped us come close to winning, but I also realised that other players had experienced this before.
“He must accept it head-on. He is prepared to create some new chapters, and we are prepared to give him the opportunity, so perhaps everyone can move on and accept it. We will always defend him, and hopefully we can leave it behind [us].
