Raheem Sterling has condemned England fans for booing Joe Gomez.
Gomez was subjected to abuse by the Wembley crowd as he warmed up and later came on as a substitute in England’s 7-0 win over Montenegro on Thursday.
The incident followed Sterling being stood down for the Euro 2020 qualifier after attempting to confront the defender following Manchester City’s loss to Liverpool.
Although the winger later apologised to his international teammate both publicly and privately for the outburst, the fallout from his omission marred the game.
Sterling issued a statement in the wake of the abuse directed at Gomez and took ‘full responsibility’ for the vitriol that was aimed in the Reds defender’s direction.
“To all the England fans, I wanted to leave things as it was but tonight I have to speak again,” he wrote on Twitter.
“It was hard for me to see my team-mate get booed for something that was my fault. Joe hasn’t done anything wrong and for me to see someone who keeps his head down and work hard…
“Especially after a difficult week for him to be booed when he came on tonight was wrong. I’ve taken full responsibility and accepted the consequence.
“I felt as though I had to say this, get home safe everyone.”
England head coach Gareth Southgate echoed Sterling’s social media comments and pledged to rally round Gomez as he came to terms with the aftermath.
He said: “Joe had done absolutely nothing wrong.
“No England player should ever be booed when they’re wearing the shirt, ever. I don’t get it.
“So, all of the players are particularly disappointed with that, and the reason that I wanted to get Joe on the pitch tonight was that he’s been with us in September and October and we’ve not got him into the games.
“Also, I know I’m going to start Raheem on Sunday and get him back onto the pitch as well because it was important for both of them to get back on the field with England and show everybody that we’re all in this now.
“So, yes, I’m hugely disappointed for him, but he’s got the support of all of us – the whole dressing room, totally united. And we’ll make sure we’re there for him.”