Rice backs teammate White following negative crowd reaction at Wembley

Declan Rice has spoken out in support of his Arsenal teammate Ben White after the defender faced jeers from sections of the crowd during England's 2-1 victory over Croatia at Wembley. White entered the match as a substitute during the Nations League fixture. The defender previously left the England camp at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to personal reasons and remained unavailable for selection during the remainder of Gareth Southgate's tenure. He also experienced similar hostile reactions from some supporters during a 1-1 draw against Ukraine in March after returning to the squad under Thomas Tuchel.

Player Reaction

Rice expressed frustration that the past situation remains a talking point years later. He praised White's mental toughness for stepping onto the pitch and performing well despite the negative reception from the stands. According to Rice, the players do not discuss the matter within the squad because everyone has moved forward, and he believes White maintains a bright future ahead with the national team. White himself stated prior to the match that observers do not know the full story behind his departure from Qatar, though he stands by his choice.

Contract Update

Beyond international football, Rice confirmed he is close to finalizing a new long-term contract with Arsenal. The 27-year-old midfielder, whose current deal runs until 2028, joined the club from West Ham in 2023 for a fee of 105 million pounds. His upcoming extension will place him alongside Bukayo Saka as one of the club's top earners. Rice credited his career consistency and stability to avoiding major upheaval, thanking manager Mikel Arteta and his teammates for their trust and support.

Context

Player selections and past disciplinary or personal departures from national team camps often spark intense debate among football supporters. National team squads bring together players from rival club sides, meaning past controversies can occasionally resurface during high-profile international fixtures.