Harry Maguire’s mother has issued a staunch public defence of her son, labelling the regular abuse he receives as “disgraceful” and “totally unacceptable”.
Maguire has fallen out of favour at Manchester United since Erik ten Hag took over as manager last summer and has been stripped of the captaincy but continues to be picked for England by Gareth Southgate. He featured in both Three Lions internationals this week, starting the Euro 2024 qualifying draw against Ukraine in Poland on Saturday.
The 30-year-old also came off the bench as a half-time replacement for Marc Guehi in Tuesday’s 3-1 friendly win over Scotland in Glasgow, scoring an unfortunate own goal when he inadvertently turned an Andy Robertson cross into his own net. He also received sarcastic mocking from home fans every time he touched the ball at Hampden Park.
An angry Southgate subsequently blasted the treatment of Maguire by some fans and pundits, particularly on social media, calling it “ridiculous” and “an absolute joke” and insisting it was like “beyond anything I’ve ever seen”.
Now the player’s mother, Zoe Maguire, has taken to Instagram to passionately defend her son, insisting the criticism has gone far beyond football.
She said: “As a mum seeing the level of negative and abusive comments in which my son is receiving from some fans, pundits and the media is disgraceful and totally unacceptable to any walk of life never mind someone who works his socks off for club and country. I was there in the stand as usual, it’s not acceptable what’s been created, over nothing.
“I understand that in the football world there are ups and downs, positives and negatives but what Harry receives has gone far beyond “football”.
“For me seeing him go through what he’s going through is not ok. I would hate to have to see any other parents or players go through this in the future, especially the young boys and girls breaking through the ranks today.”
She added: “Harry has a massive heart and it’s a good job he’s mentally strong and can handle it as others may not be able to. I wish this sort of abuse on nobody.”
