Ben White’s decision to withdraw from international football was almost two years in the making, but it originated from a pointed remark from Gareth Southgate’s assistant Steve Holland.
As he announced the England squad for the upcoming friendlies against Eangland and Brazil last week, Southgate revealed that White had asked not to be considered.
It came after the Arsenal full-back left the England camp midway through the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to ‘personal reasons’, with later reports he had a bust-up with Holland.
And according to the Telegraph, the rift between the pair was sparked by Holland questioning White’s interest in football while England were in Qatar in November 2022.
Southgate’s assistant reportedly asked Kyle Walker related to Manchester City’s performances in the previous season, before posing the same question to White in regards to Arsenal.
Ben White reportedly turned his back on England after a spat with Steve Holland
Gareth Southgate’s assistant (left) reportedly questioned White’s interest in football
The 26-year-old allegedly claimed he did not know the answer, leading Holland to claim that was down to his lack of interest in football.
The conversation is said to have happened in front of other members of the squad.
On November 30, a day after England beat Wales 3-0 in their final group game, the FA announced White had left camp and returned home.
According to the Telegraph, White was particularly upset by the public nature of the conversation, rather than by Holland’s specific comment.
Southgate has steadfastly maintained there were no issues between his assistant and the Arsenal defender and defended the former.
‘People can talk about me, and I have to accept that things get said that are false about me,’ he said last week when asked about White’s decision to make himself unavailable for selection.
‘For whatever reason in this role, you have to almost stomach that. But I’m not prepared for that to happen for a key member of my coaching team because that is not the reason Ben is unavailable for selection.’
The England manager also revealed he had not tried to persuade the Arsenal defender to reverse his decision, suggesting he felt White was unlikely to change his mind.
White left the England camp in Qatar during the 2022 World Cup to return home
He was allegedly upset by Holland’s comments and the fact they were made in front of the rest of the England squad
Southgate has revealed he has not tried to convince the Arsenal defender to change his mind
‘I think it would be a similar conversation to the last one I had with him [after Qatar], and I could sense a reticence there which I felt I should back away from. I think it’s for him now.’
During his squad announcement last week, the England head coach also revealed he had been informed of White’s decision after Arsenal sporting director Edu personally spoke with his FA counterpart John McDermott over the phone.
When asked about White’s feelings about playing for England, Southgate replied: ‘I’m not able to articulate that.
‘You’d have to speak to him or Arsenal to get an understanding of that. There have been players over the years in my time who didn’t want to be available.
‘I’ve had that since we’ve been here. It’s not the only time [a player has turned down a call up].
