'We will always protect him' - Tuchel defends White after Wembley boos

Ben White in the spotlight on his return to England team; defender booed after scoring then gives away stoppage-time penalty for Uruguay equaliser; Thomas Tuchel says he was "disappointed" and will "protect" White and hopes "everyone can move on".

Senior Football Journalist @psmithXI

Saturday 28 March 2026 01:59, UK

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

England boss Thomas Tuchel defended Ben White after he was booed by sections of the Wembley crowd in the 1-1 draw with Uruguay.

White - on his first England appearance since walking out of the Qatar World Cup in 2022 - was booed when he was subbed on and then again when his name was announced after he scored his first international goal on 81 minutes.

The Arsenal defender later gave away a stoppage-time penalty for Uruguay's equaliser.

"I heard that he was booed," Tuchel said in his post-match press conference. "I didn't hear it actually on the field because I was involved in the changes and instructions, so I didn't hear it so I think then it cannot be the majority.

"There were some boos and some mixed reception for him, which I am disappointed about because of course we protect our players and he was excellent in camp and he deserved to come on.

"He deserved also to start and got us almost the winner, but I also understood that it happened to other players before here.

"He needs to take it on the chin. We will always protect him and hopefully we can put it behind [us] because he is ready to write some new chapters and we are ready to give him the chance, so hopefully everyone can move on and accept it."

Live football on Sky Sports this week

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

White's call-up to this squad as a replacement for Jarell Quansah was controversial.

Tuchel admitted the defender would have to "clear the air" with team-mates he left behind when he exited the 2022 World Cup early due to personal reasons. He rejected a subsequent call-up from Gareth Southgate, following a disagreement with then assistant boss Steve Holland.

That self-imposed international exile ended when Tuchel took charge and this was White's first involvement with the national team since then.

But the boos were a damning message to Tuchel and White from the England fans: many haven't forgiven the player for turning down opportunities to represent the country - and many, seemingly, do not think he should be back in the mix for a place at the 2026 World Cup.

Has an England player ever been booed after scoring for their country in this stadium? They have now.

This was a significant statement from England supporters. Tuchel was right to note that England players have been booed previously. Jordan Henderson, for example, was booed at Wembley after signing to play in Saudi Arabia.

Henderson - who is now at Brentford and no longer booed - began the game with Uruguay as captain. A sign of how narratives can move on.

But will the "new chapters" for White be written at the World Cup?

Remember, White was only an injury replacement in this squad. Tuchel, when explaining why he'd gone for White as cover for Quansah rather than Trent Alexander-Arnold, said White fitted the profile of right-back he wants in his team.

White was clearly down the pecking order, though. And he actually came on at centre-back against Uruguay. Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa are among those who will be back in the squad for the Japan game and competing to return in the middle of defence. White is down the list in that department, too.

He offers versatility, though, and is now in the mix. But when the dust settles, Tuchel may wonder if it is worth the noise and disruption around White to take him to the World Cup this summer. It seemed apparent what the England fan choice would be at Wembley.

"I think it's a very soft penalty. Of course there is contact, but it's so obvious what the striker is trying to do.

"Maybe Ben is also a bit greedy in this moment, but to overturn a decision when the referee clearly, clearly made the signal with both hands that he saw it and it was not enough for him.

"Then to overturn it I was surprised VAR is in place because I thought it's not working, because the tackle on Phil Foden was not even checked, tackle against Noni not even checked.

"And then suddenly, this one was checked. OK, like I said, I don't think it's enough, but OK, it is what it is.

"I heard that our goal was a tough block before our goal. I haven't seen it, so, yeah, overall, that's what it is."

Play Super 6! Play Super 6 for a chance to win £250k! Enter for free.