Gary Lineker calls on Wales fans to support England at Euro 2020
Gary Lineker has called on Wales fans to support England at Euro 2020.
The presenter and former professional footballer was responding to an article by England fan and author Laura Kemp, who has lived in Wales for 20 years and is married to a Welshman.
He praised it as “exceptional” and argued that it contained some “valid arguments”.
In her opinion piece Kemp argued that the current England team, which recently beat Ukraine 4-0 in the quarter final, is “challenging the establishment just like those in Wales who are sick of the privilege of the Etonian elite”.
She also hit out at Boris Johnson’s government for treating Wales like an “afterthought”, which she said has “endured centuries of oppression at the hands of England”.
The author criticised the “English media which bangs on about the Three Lions’ destiny”, and argued that the “intensity of the build-up to Wednesday’s semi-final against Denmark will be sickening”.
Gary Lineker shared the piece on Twitter, and said: “How about it Wales fans? Some valid arguments in this exceptional piece by @Laurajanekemp.”
The suggestion was not met with an overwhelmingly positive response from Wales fans.
Harry Thompson said: “Will never support England in any tournament because every time they do well they start a weird pressure campaign to force us into supporting them”.
Scott Arthur said: “I’ll admit, there is something very likeable about a lot of the English players/manager, Rashford especially. However, I won’t be supporting England. It’s called rivalry. Some Welsh people will cheer them on, lots won’t. I’m sure you understand, @GaryLineker?”
Amy Clement said: “I’m against all the hatred, being a bit of both I find it really horrible to see, however… no one likes being told who to support.”
Football writer and broadcaster Tom Williams said: “Asking Wales fans to support England is like asking Everton fans to support Liverpool or Spurs fans to support Arsenal. In sporting terms, England are Wales’s arch rivals. Yes, they’re a likeable team, with a likeable manager. But you can’t actively ‘support’ your rivals.”
‘Jerry-bashing’
In an article on WalesOnline, Kemp said: “Yet look at Gareth Southgate’s squad. Any Jerry-bashing didn’t just fall flat, it meant nothing.
“And there’s not a conceited ego among them who behaves as if reaching the final is God given. Because these footballers are everything that’s right about an emerging sense of what it is to be English.
“They aren’t just professional and playing with pride and passion – remind you of any other team close to your hearts? They’re also the role models they’re often accused of failing to be.
“In fact, they go much further – they are challenging the establishment just like those in Wales who are sick of the privilege of the Etonian elite.
“Even when Conservative critics have accused them of ‘tokenism’, the team has stuck to its guns to Take The Knee to protest against not just racism but beat the drum for equality for all, whether that’s gender, disability or sexuality.
“Amongst the social justice stars are Raheem Sterling who was given an MBE for his anti-racism campaign, Marcus Rashford who forced a u-turn of free school meals during the pandemic and Harry Kane who wore a rainbow captain’s armband to support the LGBT+ community to highlight Pride month.”
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What is all this nonsense? The Danish media don’t drive me nuts in my own country…. I’ll support them.
Wales was never given a choice regarding the union, it was just annexed to England. For some reason we are expected to support England as if we are one and the same. No one should ever be told who it is they ‘should’ support, and no one should be made to feel as though they are hateful if they choose to not support a certain country.
Wales is not on the UK flag either as it was considered an “English province” until the 1960s. Crazy innit
“Raheem Sterling who was given an MBE for his anti-racism campaign”
The irony of a black man fighting against racism while receiving a medal representing an empire and monarchy made wealthy and built from incredible racism and slavery is deliciously ironic
If I elect to support England in any football match it won’t be because a wet tw*t like Lineker is calling for my support. Much like me voting for Brexit despite a severe dislike for Farage and many of the other rogues who self selected to “lead” that campaign.
Valid points all (probably). The stuff about Marcus Rashford and the taking the knee rings true. They seem like a nice enough bunch.
I’ll wish them well as a neutral (not as a countryman).
But I am hoping for a Denmark victory, for the same reasons the world hoped for a Denmark victory over us. And a little because of how a noisy minority of the English fans treated that little German girl.
Bwahahahahahahaha
Sorry…
Bwahahahahahahaha
Excuse me, I really shouldn’t laugh…
Bwahahahahahahaha
Sorry Gary but you are our greatest rivals,this does not mean that we are seen as rivals by you,in your footballing world we are seen as pretty unimportant,it would be the same if we were the independent republic most posters here seem to want(including me perhaps).There is no sensible reason for this its just that little guys like to see big ones brought down.If I have to I will find some what different reasons for not supporting your rugby team,and only support the Lions to shut up the English and Irish fans who would blame us if they lose.I think… Read more »
What does this England team mean to England? They are challenging the anti-devolution, (uglier side of) English nationalism movement which now makes up the UK government. What does this England team mean in Wales? Well, challenging such a movement would be a positive thing overall but let’s hold our horses… It’s still the same English FA which pushed an Olympics football team despite the risks this puts other home nations under and still the same English FA who dropped out of the Victory Shield youth football cup to progress English football. They’re not friends to Welsh football even if they’re… Read more »
Clap for England you peasants! for the crisp peddler hath spoken.
F*** off Lineker snd choke on your crisps
I think that’s unfair, Lineker is a decent enough person and I think the England football team seem decent enough as well – Rashford, Raheem Sterling, taking the knee (and taking a stand against Priti Patel in the process). It’s just a pity about the jingoism, racism and xenophobia of many of their fans (still won’t be supporting England though).
I’m an England fan living in Wales and would like to clarify this is definitely not the view of all English fans.
Welsh people should support whoever they like, including whoever England are playing. We really don’t care.
We should be friendly, yet indifferent.
I like that. Yes. Friendly but indifferent
Jeez guys, enough with the soccer stories, please
“soccer” – da ni’n gwybod pa gêm rwyt ti’n ei ddilyn 🙂
Has he asked football fans from any other countries to support England in this competition? No? Why us, then?
Whilst I count a number of English people as very good friends there is no way I can bring myself to support England the country – hundreds of years of history, starting with invasion and subjugation and now indifference, ignorance, contempt …. and Boris Johnson….absolutely no way I can bring myself to support them, no way at all!
Why don’t u ask Scotland to do the same 🖕we can all join in and pretend we like u sounds great fun 🤣 I’d rather support wuan fc (if there is such a team )