Wayne Rooney has criticised England fans for booing Gareth Southgate’s side after a 0-0 draw against the United States and described it as “English prejudice.”
England remain on course to qualify for the last 16 but were greeted by jeers at full time from a predominantly England-supporting crowd at Al Bayt Stadium.
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The former England captain, who has returned to the U.S. to manage Major League Soccer club D.C. United, said the reaction from the English crowd was down to the nation’s footballing culture.
“I know England fans expect a lot, but sometimes in our football culture we can be stubborn about recognising the qualities of the opposition,” Rooney wrote in his Sunday Times column.
“This is definitely true when it comes to football in the USA. It is better than most people in England think. The standard of American players and American coaching is high and increasing in quality all the time.
“The USA are a good side with a good manager and they play with an exceptional energy which can make them difficult opponents for any team. Not to accept that is simply English prejudice. If England had just drawn with Denmark, fans would not be booing, would they?”
