Harry Maguire's mother releases powerful statement after England own goal in win over Scotland

England Harry Maguire Scotland

England star Harry Maguire has received strong abuse online following his side's friendly win over Scotland

REUTERS
Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 14/09/2023

- 10:48

The Manchester United star has been widely mocked and criticised following the match at Hampden Park

Harry Maguire's mother has released a powerful, emotional statement condemning the abuse of her son.

The England defender scored an own goal on Tuesday night as his side beat Scotland 3-1 at Hampden Park.


Maguire has endured a difficult couple of years and has toiled at Manchester United, with the centre-back stripped of the captaincy earlier in the summer.

And the 30-year-old's mother, Zoe, has taken to Instagram to make her feelings clear on the matter.

Harry Maguire England mother Scotland

Harry Maguire's mother has condemned the abuse of her son following England's victory over Scotland

PA

"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," she said.

"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.

"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 too.

"I wish this sort of abuse on nobody!"

Maguire initially started England's win over Scotland on the bench.

And while he put the ball in his own net, the Three Lions were still able to cruise to victory.

Goals from Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham had England cruising, with Harry Kane then scoring late on to make the result safe.

It means England remain unbeaten since losing to France at the World Cup in Qatar last year.

And manager Gareth Southgate also defended Maguire after the match, insisting the Manchester United star was being made a scapegoat.

"I've never known a player treated the way he is," said Southgate.

"He's been an absolute stalwart for us in the second most successful England team for decades - he's been an absolutely key part of that.

"I've talked about the importance of our senior players, he's been crucial among that.

"Every time he goes on the field, the resilience he shows is absolutely incredible. He's a top player and we're all with him and our fans were brilliant with him."

He added: "From a Scotland fans' point of view I get it. I have absolutely no complaints with what they did [celebrating him coming on].

"But it's a consequence of ridiculous treatment of him for a long period of time.

"It's a joke. Not by the Scottish fans but by our own commentators, pundits or whatever it is.

"They've created something that's beyond anything I have ever seen. I think our fans recognised, 'OK there might be a bit of heat from our own supporters but we're not going to have others getting into him.'"

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In other football news, Jamie Carragher has blamed Maguire's plight on Cristiano Ronaldo - despite the pair no longer being team-mates at Manchester United.

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