London (AFP) – Eric Dier has called on England fans to back the team in the “right way” following the offensive behaviour of some travelling supporters during Wednesday’s friendly international loss in Germany.
England’s 1-0 defeat in Dortmund was overshadowed by away fans booing the German national anthem and singing unsavoury songs about the Second World War.
Football Association chairman Greg Clarke condemned the incidents as “inappropriate, disrespectful and disappointing”, coming as they did just hours after a deadly terror attack in London.
Dier, who played the full match in Germany, said he hadn’t heard the chants but added he hoped they would not be repeated during Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Lithuania at Wembley.
“In general the fans have been fantastic with us,” Dier told a news conference on Friday.
“Wherever we go they’re always fantastic, the support they given us is amazing, but all we ask is they support us in the right way and be respectful,” the Tottenham Hotspur defensive midfielder added.
“And of course because of the dreadful stuff that’s happened over the last couple of days in London, we just hope the fans will be very respectful of that, and us as players we’re going to respect everything in the right way and do everything to honour the people who passed away this week.”
