The families of England stars were drenched in beer as supporters raged at the Three Lions’ performance against Slovenia on Tuesday at Euro 2024.
England ended their group campaign in Germany with another dismal performance this week, held to a goalless draw against Slovenia.
While the result was enough to see them qualify for the knockout stages of the competition as group winners, fans in attendance made their displeasure known, jeering and booing the side at the final whistle.
Gareth Southgate approached one section of fans after the game with plastic cups thrown in the direction of the England boss.
While they were not thought to have been specifically targeted, relatives and loved ones – including children – of the national team squad were caught up in the wild scenes with Aston Villa star Ezri Konsa revealing his brother was ‘hit’ as drinks were launched towards the pitch.
‘My brother was hit, a few others,’ Konsa said. ‘But we haven’t spoken about it too much and there’s not much we can do about it.
‘I spoke to him after, I asked him and how he was and he said he was fine. It wasn’t directly behind the goal, but it was coming from all angles.’
Konsa also revealed he and his teammates had to make sure none of their loved ones had been injured in the chaos.
‘We check on them,’ he said. ‘There’s kids in the stands with family so we always have to check on them, reassure them and ask if they’re all right. But it’s part of the game, it happens and we try not to think about it too much.
WHEN IS ENGLAND’S NEXT GAME?
England play Slovakia in the Euro 2024 last-16 stage at 5pm on Sunday.
‘It wasn’t nice. But there’s a lot of players with a lot of experience who have experienced it before at club level. We know what to expect from fans. Sometimes it’s always up and down. It’s part of the game.
England won their opening group match against Serbia but wilted in the second-half of that match after Jude Bellingham’s first-half opener. Harry Kane gave them an early lead against Denmark but the pattern repeated with Southgate’s side targeted with blistering criticism from a string of former England internationals following the 1-1 draw.
Euro 2024 LAST-16 FIXTURES
June 29
Switzerland vs Italy (Berlin, 5pm)
Germany vs Denmark (Dortmund, 8pm)
June 30
England vs Slovakia (Gelsenkirchen, 5pm)
Spain vs Georgia (Cologne, 8pm)
July 1
France vs Belgium (Dusseldorf, 5pm)
Portugal vs Slovenia (Frankfurt, 8pm)
July 2
Romania vs Netherlands (Munich, 5pm)
Austria vs Turkey (Leipzig, 8pm)
Tuesday’s final group match against Slovenia offered no improvement – although there were some green shoots of hope following the second-half introductions of Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer.
England take on Slovakia in their last 16 clash in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday evening with a quarter-final showdown against Switzerland or Italy waiting if they get the win.
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