European Championship final: criticism of Sterling, Grealish and Southgate after bankruptcy on penalties

After losing penalties in the European Championship final against Italy, TV expert and ex-Manchester United star Roy Keane has criticized Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish. Gary Lineker, however, shot himself at coach Gareth Southgate.

“Sterling and Grealish can’t stand and give way to a young guy like Saka on penalties,” said Keane at ITV Sport: “It doesn’t work like that. They both have a lot more experience. Sterling has won titles. He has to shoot before a child has to do it.”

Racially insulted Sancho, Saka and Rashford

Instead of Grealish or Sterling, the only 19-year-old Bukayo Saka had borne the burden of the final penalty for England and was decimated by Gianluigi Donnarumma. Before him, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, who were only substituted in the 120th minute and both of whom had hardly played a role in the course of the tournament, had already missed.

Because of their missed shots and the color of their skin, all three were then subjected to racist attacks online. For example, the latest Instagram post by 19-year-old Saka from Arsenal FC immediately found dozens of comments, the content of which were the most nasty insults and curses.

Both the English football association FA and Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the hostility against the players in the strongest possible terms. The Metropolitan Police opened an investigation and announced that the insults would “not be tolerated”.

England’s final bankruptcy: Lineker speaks of “fear”

Immediately after the lost penalty shootout, Southgate assumed responsibility for the much-discussed choice of penalty takers. “I chose the penalty takers because of their performance in training, and nobody is on their own,” said Southgate. “As for the penalties, that’s my choice. It’s completely up to me.”

According to TV expert and England legend Gary Lineker, the choice of the shooters was not the only mistake Southgate made that evening. Lineker accused the trainer of the Three Lions of being “afraid” of letting go of the undoubted talent on the offensive.

“We have to find a way to think more aggressively, to play more courageously, to have more attacking players. We have the talent to scare other teams. But right now it seems like we’re scared,” wrote Lineker via Twitter.