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Gareth Southgate lost Kieran Trippier in the Nations League tie against Denmark on Wednesday night, as the full-back must attend a Football Association disciplinary hearing to answer charges related to breaching the rules of betting, a situation the England manager described as an unwanted distraction. .
Trippier was charged with various alleged infractions during July last year, which was the same month that he moved from Tottenham to Atlético de Madrid for £ 20 million. He has said that he himself did not make any bets or profit from bets placed by other people.
The 30-year-old could be expelled for up to six months if convicted.
The timing of this week’s hearing is unfortunate – the FA did not confirm that it will be Denmark’s game day – and Southgate admitted he had no control over it. It will take place via video conference and leaves Southgate in a bind as Ben Chilwell has also been forced to retire from the team.
The Chelsea left-back had missed England’s victories over Wales and Belgium after he broke the government’s coronavirus ‘rule of six’ and also suffered a mild illness. Now the FA says he has a foot injury. Southgate removed Trippier from position on the left back in Sunday’s game against Belgium and praised him as a “warrior.” With his options tight, he is expected to turn to Ainsley Maitland-Niles to fill the spot against Denmark. Eric Dier has a hamstring problem and will be replaced in the middle of the last three by Conor Coady.
“There’s really not much I can say about it, it’s not something that is in my control,” Southgate said of Trippier’s absence. “If I lose focus on the job at hand, there are a million distractions, frankly, then this is another distraction, but it’s something I have to get over.
“We dont have it. I knew, I spoke to Kieran last week and the situation is what it is. We would have liked to have Kieran available, we haven’t, so this is an opportunity for someone else. The less you say the better. But what is clear is that I have no influence on the disciplinary procedure, which I think is correct. I can’t influence when things happen or how they unfold. “
Southgate reported that Harry Kane is in top shape after his fitness issue last week and available to start. The captain had felt muscle fatigue in his thigh and was unable to train properly. As a result, he appeared only as a substitute against Belgium on Sunday, leaving his Spurs coach José Mourinho extremely concerned about the possibility of him starting against Denmark. Southgate suggested that there was nothing to worry about.
Kane will be flanked in the attack by Marcus Rashford, who became an MBE on the Queen’s birthday honors list after his work fighting child poverty. He campaigned for the government to allow around 1.3 million children to claim free vouchers for school meals during the summer holidays during the coronavirus pandemic.
The 22-year-old said he had tried earlier in his career to help disadvantaged children, but “because he didn’t know the ins and outs, it had a much lesser effect than he wanted.” He worked to better understand the problems during the confinement, at a time when he could not train properly due to a back injury, and when he launched into more “precise” and targeted action, the impact was extraordinary.
“Every day, it amazes me,” Rashford said of the situation for some children in the UK. “It is not until people see the numbers. I had the opportunity to visit some of the families and I was able to help some of them and hear how it affected them and changed their lives. It is simply mind-boggling how many people are suffering and don’t know where to get help.
“There have been many different messages that I have received from families and they all affect me in the same way. Sad to know that it is still happening. I was in that position when I was younger and some of the families are in much worse positions than I was, so I can only imagine what it feels like for parents and children who only want the best for each other.
“I had to increase my understanding of issues off the court to help people. It’s something that I don’t feel affects my football, that’s why I’m so excited about it. “
