Defender Ezri Konsa revealed that the families and friends of England players were struck by beer cups thrown “from all angles” following their goalless draw with Slovenia.
After the Euro 2024 Group C stalemate on Tuesday, a couple of plastic cups were aimed at manager Gareth Southgate as he applauded the fans from the pitch. According to Aston Villa’s Konsa, more cups were hurled around the stands at full-time, affecting the section where players’ friends and families were seated.
Konsa stated that the players were aware of the incident involving Southgate but have “not spoken about it as players” or raised it with him. Reports suggest that the players’ partners and friends were neither recognized nor deliberately targeted by those who threw the cups.
“We were aware of it because I think some of our family members got hit with a few drinks,” Konsa said. “We check on them. There are kids in the stands with family, so we always have to check on them, reassure them, and ask if they’re all right.”
Despite the incident, England topped Group C and will face Slovakia in the last 16 on Sunday.
Konsa added, “In football, stuff like that happens.” He mentioned that his brother and a few others were hit. “I spoke to him after, I asked him how he was, and he said he was fine. It was to the right of the stadium, not directly behind the goal, but it was coming from all angles. We try not to think about it too much, so we move on.”
Credit: BBC Sport
