Credit: Imago, ESPN on YouTube

Evan Lloyd

Sat 28 March 2026 21:00, UK

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Ben White was booed as he made his return to the England team on Friday, but the Arsenal defender did what anyone should in his situation.

The 28-year-old was controversially selected for the squad by Thomas Tuchel, almost four years after he left the English World Cup camp in Qatar.

White is not expected to go to North America this summer, but the mere sight of him making an appearance for the Three Lions prompted boos from much of Wembley as his name was read out.

The former Brighton man would go on to score England’s opener, before giving away a penalty that allowed Federico Valverde to equalise in stoppage time.

Friday’s scenes have provoked plenty of debate around the Arsenal defender, but fans should ask themselves why they were booing in the first place.

What Jurgen Klinsmann said about Ben White

Football Insider exclusively revealed on Wednesday that Arsenal are ready to sell White this summer as part of their plans to rebuild.

The defender is still struggling with the extensive injury issues that have plagued him over the last two seasons, although he has looked back towards the player he once was at several points of the campaign.

His inclusion in Tuchel’s squad spoke to that form, and the defender’s return should have been a night of celebration, but it was instead marred by boos from the stands.

Speaking to ESPN on Friday, Tottenham legend and World Cup winner Jurgen Klinsmann sympathised with White’s situation.

“I think it’s courageous from Ben,” he said. “When you’re doing that, coming back, standing up for yourself and giving it a shot.

“And also from Thomas Tuchel saying: ‘Listen, I wasn’t there when they had issues there way back, so now let’s move forward’.”

England fans should reassess White situation

To this day, the full truth around White’s departure from the 2022 World Cup remains unknown.

A report has since suggested that the situation came about due to a breakdown in the defender’s relationship with coach Steve Holland, after disrespectful comments were made in training.

With that being the only inkling to what England fans have to go on, their booing of the Arsenal man on Friday makes little sense.

International commitments or not, White should not have had to sit still and take perceived disrespect on the chin. The fact that he went out of his way not to return while Holland remained with the squad says much about the nature of the comments.

In fact, the defender should be respected for his decision to stand up for himself. Friday’s game will likely not be the last one White features in – he deserves to face a different reception next time.