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Arsenal defender Ben White has been torn to shreds by former Tottenham player Jamie O’Hara for refusing to play for England.
White has not played for England since leaving the camp during the 2022 World Cup. Gareth Southgate revealed last week that the right-back requested not to be called up for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
“Very few people get the opportunity to represent their country. For Ben White to turn that down because he doesn’t want to sit on the bench or because he doesn’t like watching football? I’m sorry, but I think you’re a bit of a disgrace to be honest,” O’Hara told Grosvenor Sport. “Do you know how many people will give their right arm to just sit on the bench for England and have the opportunity to represent their nation? Then you’ve got this guy who goes, ‘oh, I don’t really like football’ and ‘Gareth Southgate hasn’t really given me a chance’. Do me a favour – it’s your country for crying out loud!”
It has been reported that White struggled to settle in the England squad and did not take well to not playing in Qatar. It has also been suggested that the defender had an argument with assistant coach Steve Holland that stemmed from his lack of interest in football.
O’Hara added on the subject: “There are obviously other things that have gone on behind the scenes – maybe he’s fallen out with some of the players. We all know he went to the World Cup and went home halfway through, so there’s probably something between him and the manager. However, even if I’d fallen out with the manager, I’d still go because it’s my country. I didn’t even make the England first team but there was nothing more honourable than playing up until the England U21s and singing the national anthem at Wembley. Representing your country is the biggest honour a footballer can have, and if it isn’t, then you’ve got a problem.”
White’s international career looks to effectively be over after turning down the chance to play for England, at least while Southgate remains in charge of the national team. It means he will miss the friendlies with Brazil and Belgium and the pre-tournament tune-up games against Bosnia & Herzegovina and Iceland as well as playing no part in Euro 2024, where England are among the favourites to bring the trophy home. However, he could still end the season on a high by winning the Premier League or the Champions League with Arsenal.
