Football

World Cup 2022: Ben White Breaks Silence After Mysterious World Cup Departure

World Cup 2022: Ben White Breaks Silence After Mysterious World Cup Departure
England's James Maddison during a training session at the Al Wakrah Sports Complex, Al Wakrah, Qatar. Picture date: Saturday November 26, 2022. - Photo by Icon sport

Ben White has finally broken his silence after he prematurely departed the England camp at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar under strange circumstances. The Arsenal defender left the Three Lions squad early apparently due to ‘personal reasons,’ although some reports suggest there was another reason he departed the tournament.

Some reports suggested White was involved in a training ground clash with England’s assistant manger, Steve Holland, and departed the camp following that  incident. Rumors of that story have continued despite Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate dismissing and suggestions that White left the team in Qatar after a clash with Steve Holland.

Reports suggest that White may have been unhappy because he did not feature in any World Cup games for England. The Arsenal star did not feature in any of the side’s group fixtures and left the world Cup squad on the 30th November, just three days before England’s last 16 win over Senegal.

The ex-Brighton and Hove Albion center-back has since returned to his club Arsenal and is now training with the team at a squad camp in Dubai. Mikel Arteta’s side are currently preparing for a return to Premier League action on Boxing Day when they will hope to continue their fantastic season and remain top of the division.

White Breaks Silence

White did not disclose anything following his England departure, but finally broke his silence yesterday. The defender took to social media on Monday to make an announcement to his Instagram followers.

The 25-year old posted a picture of him working out in the gym with the caption “We back baby,” followed by a smiley-face emoji. White did not, however, explain why he departed the England camp and it does not look like he will be revealing any of that information any time soon.

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Southgate Reacts to Incident Reports

In a press-conference at the time, Southgate spoke on the supposed training ground incident involving White and Holland. Speaking to reporters, he rubbished rumors of a bust-up between the pair.

 “What I’ve been shown was alleged and there was another word that was used,” Southgate told the media.

“I think by commenting on the story I could be giving it any form of credibility, really,” the England boss said, “We explained why Ben left the camp and I think it’s important that is respected, really.”

According to reports in the Daily Star newspaper, assistant manager Steve Holland was unhappy with White’s preparation in the lead up to the USA game, England’s second group game. White was apparently unaware of his personal stats and the USA’s tactics at a team meeting before the game, which ended 0-0, and Holland was seriously unimpressed.

The Arsenal center-back, who has played at right-back for the majority of this season so far, was also reported to be struggling to get along with his teammates and was not comfortable in the England camp.

White and the England management mutually agreed that the player be released home from the World Cup in Qatar.

The FA released a statement to announce the news at the time, stating “We ask that the player’s privacy is respected at this moment in time.'”


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