England footballer's 'family and friends' hit by beer cups after their poor display in UEFA Euro 2024

England, before the UEFA Euro 2024 were termed as the favourites to win the tournament. But since the beginning, the Three Lions have not performed as per the expectations. They have managed to win one game out of the three group-stage games. Despite being drawn on a relatively easy group Gareth Southgate’s star-studded side has failed to perform under pressure. They will be facing Slovakia in the RO16 fixture. 

The fans and former English footballers have been disappointed with the team’s dismal performance in the tournament so far. They booed their coach after the 0-0 draw in the final group game against Slovenia. However, there was much more than that from the stands, as Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa says the families and friends of England players were hit by beer cups thrown "from all angles" after their draw. As the manager went to applaud them from the ground, a handful of plastic cups were thrown at him as well. 

Konsa was hurdled around the Cologne stands full-time, affecting the section sitting the players' friends and families. Konsa stated that the players were aware that Southgate had been targeted but had "not spoken about it as players" or discussed it with him. Reports say that those who hurled the cups did not recognise or intentionally target the players' partners and friends.

I think some of our family members got hit: Ezri Konsa

The Villa defender said, "We were aware of it because I think some of our family members got hit with a few drinks. We check on them. There’s kids in the stands with family so we always have to check on them, reassure them and ask if they’re all right."

He added: "My brother was hit, a few others. I spoke to him after, I asked him how he was and he said he was fine. It was to the right [of the stadium], it wasn’t directly behind the goal, but it was coming from all angles. We try not to think about it too much so we move on."