GARETH SOUTHGATE says England’s black football stars are becoming the voices of a generation.
The Three Lions boss is incredibly proud of his squad who have not been afraid to speak out in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Gareth Southgate reckons this current England team will the voice of a generation in the fight against racism
Raheem Sterling has led the players calling for society — and football — to change.
Southgate said: “There’s a generational aspect to it — they have a platform with social media to be able to have a voice. They are more confident to speak up.
“I think it’s important they recognise they shouldn’t just sit back and be happy to be players, they can make a difference.
“They recognise the journeys in their own lives and what they have been through.
“And also what difficulties they faced, and now where they see other kids in those areas where they grew up.
“They have a chance to make a difference for them.”
Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings has been another eloquent campaigner on the race issue.
And Southgate added: “They are more comfortable in that space, whereas maybe in my playing days we were more reticent.
“We weren’t as open… the other aspects of media players are exposed to now give them a far greater opportunity to see more of their individual personality and get their own message across at different times.
“So when they speak, it is not just constrained around the games or pre-match press conferences which we were historically limited by.
“It is easy to give a throwaway line or put a hashtag out or a social media post. It is actions in the end that count.”
They never cease to impress me with their thoughts on things.
Gareth Southgate on England stars’ fight against racism
Many black players such as Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, 22, and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, 21, have been praised for their community work during the coronavirus crisis.
Southgate also heaped praise on the likes of club captains Jordan Henderson and Harry Maguire for leading by example during the lockdown.
He said: “I think you are always looking for character and strong leadership within your players.
“In the end it’s the players that will decide and determine how far you go as a team.
“And those teams that win have those sorts of characters in abundance.
“They never cease to impress me with their thoughts on things.
“Their willingness to speak up on critical matters can affect the world outside their own game.
“I feel as though, generally, when I talk to young people, the whole idea of prejudice and opportunity is changing.
Raheem Sterling recently eloquently spoke out about racism
“But it cannot just be black people and black voices that are at the forefront of those discussions. White people have to speak up about it, too.
“It cannot just be left to our players or an organisation like Kick It Out alone.
“Too much responsibility is on their shoulders and other people have to step up.”
Raheem Sterling says black players are not getting chance to become top managers – compared to fast-tracked Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
