Football
Maguire’s mother breaks silence following abuse on son
Harry Maguire’s mother has broken her silence following the abuse targeted to her son. Zoe Maguire has branded the abuse directed towards her son as ‘disgraceful and totally unacceptable’
Maguire came on as a half-time substitute in England’s 3-1 win over Scotland on Tuesday evening, but the defender was jeered by the Hampden Park crowd every time he touched the ball.
Gareth Southgate was furious with the reaction towards Maguire, who scored an own goal. The own goal had given Scotland a lifeline in the game. And the manager had blamed ‘idiots’ in the English media for creating an agenda against the defender.
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Zoe was in the crowd at Hampden Park and believes the treatment towards son ‘has gone far beyond football’.
Her statement which was posted on Instagram, read: ‘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. It is 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 and it’s not acceptable what’s been created, over nothing.
She continued: ‘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 and especially the young boys and girls breaking through the ranks today. Harry has a massive heart and it’s a good job he’s mentally strong. And he can handle it as others might not be able to. I wish this sort of abuse on nobody!’
Maguire, meanwhile insists there is no mental pressure from the negative reaction towards his performances.
‘Well, it pretty much takes the pressure away from my team-mates and puts it all on myself! It makes them play better, for sure,’ Maguire said after the 3-1 win over Scotland.
‘I would not say I am a person who struggles with pressure mentally. I have been through a lot in the last couple of years and I have been Manchester United captain for nearly four years.