Former Manchester City defender Stefan Savic has lashed out at Jordan Henderson following an altercation during England’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Montenegro.
The Liverpool captain was brought off the bench late on in the Three Lions’ 5-1 win to create a goal for former teammate Raheem Sterling.
The game was however unfortunately overshadowed by racist abuse endured by members of the English national team.
England players, toward the end of the game, were clearly flustered by this continued abuse – including Henderson.
Oh Hendo 👀 pic.twitter.com/QpzEBsqt9I
— Daniel I. (@DannLFCTR) March 27, 2019
Savic has since claimed that Henderson acted arrogantly by “sarcastically” refusing to exchange shirts at the end of the match – citing a lack of respect on the behalf of our captain.
“We all know they are a much bigger team than us but sometimes I feel very bad to be playing the same sport as some players,” he’s quoted as saying by the Liverpool Echo.
“Jordan Henderson, for example, sarcastically told our player after one normal clash he would give him a jersey after the match. It is ugly and disrespectful. I told him he was good enough not to act like that.
“We are proud and I’d rather play with this team and concede five goals and not with some arrogant players from England.”
I have to admit that Henderson refusing to swap shirts at the end of the game pales dramatically in comparison to fans hurling racial abuse at England’s players throughout the game.
UEFA have since charged Montenegro with racist behaviour after the abuse in Podgorica on Monday. They said “disciplinary proceedings” had been opened against Montenegro with one charge for “racist behaviour“, as per BBC Sport.