Just curious, as he saw fit to wade in with a frankly neanderthal opinion on Lyle's decision to not join up with South Africa's AFCON squad, what comments he will come out with re: Ben White asking not to be selected by England?

Must have missed it at the time, what did he say about Foster?

ŽižkovClaret wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:04 pm

Just curious, as he saw fit to wade in with a frankly neanderthal opinion on Lyle's decision to not join up with South Africa's AFCON squad, what comments he will come out with re: Ben White asking not to be selected by England?

I would guess, for the most obvious of reasons, he won't mention it

From the Burnley Express


Ian Wright faces criticism over Lyle Foster comments after Burnley man's exclusion from South Africa's AFCON squad

Ian Wright has faced criticism after claiming he would have linked up with the South African national team for the African Cup of Nations were he in Lyle Foster’s position.

Medical experts recommended Foster shouldn’t be called up for this month’s tournament in the Ivory Coast as a result of his ongoing mental health battle.

The 23-year-old recently took an indefinite break from the game to receive specialist treatment, before returning to action in mid-December after eight weeks out.

While the striker has now played in five games straight for the Clarets, he hasn’t been selected by South Africa – a decision praised as “sensible” by Burnley boss Vincent Kompany.

The situation was discussed by Wright and fellow ITV pundit Karen Carney ahead of Burnley’s FA Cup tie against Tottenham on Friday night.

Carney, a former England international, spoke candidly about her own battles with mental health.

She said: “I can only empathise and say that when you’re going through mental health, you need familiarity around you, you need your support system and your comforts. A lot of people might not understand that.

“A lot of the time when I went away on international duty it felt quite claustrophobic and I lost my family and everything around me, so it was really challenging.

“I felt like I would go back into a dark place if I went there, so I do have some empathy and I do understand his decision.”

Wright, however, said there was “no way” he’d turn down the opportunity to represent his country were he to find himself in a similar position.

“Of course you’ve got to always have empathy for someone who’s having mental health issues,” he said.

“I think from a South African fan’s point of view, it will be very disappointing to see he can’t play for them. Yet while they’re playing in AFCON they’re watching him play for Burnley.

“As time goes by, he’ll probably realise how important he is to them. At the moment he’s in the bosom of Burnley and he can see Vincent Kompany talking about how much they love him and how much they want him. Why wouldn’t you feel comfortable in that situation?

“For South Africa, the other striker is injured so he’s the highest goalscorer in the qualifiers and they need him at that stage.

“I totally understand what Karen is saying but if it was me, there’s no way I’d turn down playing for my country to play for my club.

“I would say if I can’t play for my country, I wouldn’t play for my club, simply because of the ramifications as time goes by for him. That’s how I’d deal with it.”

Wright drew criticism for his comments, with Burnley fans heading to social media to express their disappointment.

“Very poor that by Ian Wright completely trivialising Lyle Foster’s illness. Disappointing,” Casey James wrote on X, the site formerly known as Twitter.

Callum added: “Grim that from Ian Wright. Vinny said the next phase of recovery is to get back in games - he is a footballer after all. Wright showing a real lack of empathy there.”

John Robertson, meanwhile, said this debate proves the need for further education on the matter.

He said: “Rather than beating Wrighty with a stick, let’s continue to educate and show understanding of mental health and its variants.

“It affects us all and it affects us all very differently.”

He added: “Family can help, home comforts can help, familiar surroundings can help. The truth is, lots of things can help and only Lyle and his support team know exactly what he needs.”

He said the other year that anyone who refuses the England squad should have to explain their decision to the families of dead soldiers.

I like the bloke but he's got a bizarre attitude to international call-ups.

My goodness Ian Wright you really do need educating.

I'm a bit surprised its never really come out what went on with Ben White at the World cup. Clearly an issue or some kind of falling out with somebody.

jrgbfc wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 14, 2024 5:02 pm

I'm a bit surprised its never really come out what went on with Ben White at the World cup. Clearly an issue or some kind of falling out with somebody.

Reports were that he fell out with Steve Holland, other reports say he left the squad due to not getting gametime.

claretburns wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 14, 2024 6:37 pm

Reports were that he fell out with Steve Holland, other reports say he left the squad due to not getting gametime.

Southgate categorically denies the Holland thing.

I like Wrighty, but he’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

It was downright shocking what he said about Foster showing a total misunderstanding of mental health issues.

Nothing new with Ben White. Our own John Angus didn’t like travelling or being away from home. Andy Cole asked not to be selected. They are human beings and whatever White decides is right for him.
Wright is up there with Merson and Rodney Marsh as a tv gobshite.

ŽižkovClaret wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:04 pm

Just curious, as he saw fit to wade in with a frankly neanderthal opinion on Lyle's decision to not join up with South Africa's AFCON squad, what comments he will come out with re: Ben White asking not to be selected by England?

As much as I agree his comments about Foster were awful, I do think he answered a question without the full information and with it he would hopefully have given a different answer if asked again.

I honestly don’t understand why someone gets so wound up about comments that are made by pundits though, it is purely an opinion he is entitled to it even if he is wrong just move on.

Maybe Ben White would struggle to keep up his spray tan regime if he were called up by England? I think him and Jason Tindall use the same shade, dark mahogany from the Ronseal chart....

Isn't Ben White one of these people who doesn't like football and just sees the game as a job? Maybe he just fancies the weekends off.

mickleoverclaret wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:08 am

Isn't Ben White one of these people who doesn't like football and just sees the game as a job? Maybe he just fancies the weekends off.

Exactly this,I didn't realise it was compulsory to have to play for your country.

He clearly doesn't want to play under Southgate for some reason

daveisaclaret wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:43 pm

He said the other year that anyone who refuses the England squad should have to explain their decision to the families of dead soldiers.

I like the bloke but he's got a bizarre attitude to international call-ups.

Please tell me he didn’t actually say that

Burnley1989 wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:47 am

Please tell me he didn’t actually say that

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foo ... 59638.html

JarrowClaret wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 14, 2024 10:04 pm

As much as I agree his comments about Foster were awful, I do think he answered a question without the full information and with it he would hopefully have given a different answer if asked again.

I honestly don’t understand why someone gets so wound up about comments that are made by pundits though, it is purely an opinion he is entitled to it even if he is wrong just move on.

The discussion included an acknowledgement that it related to Lyle's mental health. He knew full well and should have known better than to comment some ignorant bilge

“I would say if I can’t play for my country, I wouldn’t play for my club, simply because of the ramifications as time goes by for him.”

It depends what he meant by ramifications.

Did he mean the ramifications of not getting picked by SA in the future? If he did, he's missed the point entirely. Being picked for your country is not as important your mental health.

Or, did he mean that by appearing to choose club over country, Foster would open himself up to online abuse by SA fans at a time when he's already struggling with his mental health, therefore potentially making the situation worse?

Either way, they were poor comments, but the second scenario comes from a more empathetic place than the first.

ŽižkovClaret wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 15, 2024 12:24 pm

The discussion included an acknowledgement that it related to Lyle's mental health. He knew full well and should have known better than to comment some ignorant bilge

Yes agreed but it was a comment based on the simplistic side of it, without all the info for example where his support network was that is what I was pointing out.100% he was wrong and wrong to say it, but in balance I also thought as bad is Wrighty was with what he said Karen Karney spoke extremely well about it in the same show.

I think he doesn’t fancy selected for the England squad and not a chance of playing

I really can’t stand that Wright bloke.

I would say it’s simply been down to gametime England have 3 of the best right backs when fit wd could wish for in tripps/Taa and walker. Two are injured but probably fit for the euros,so He’s only filling in for friendlies. Although I would say Southgate would be considering centre half for him.

Carlos the Great wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 15, 2024 8:42 pm

I think he doesn’t fancy selected for the England squad and not a chance of playing

Yep true, I'd rather a few days on a nice beach somewhere than sat on the bench for Southgate.

Or on a sunbed.
Bless.

BurnleyFC wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 14, 2024 6:53 pm

I like Wrighty, but he’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

Same, he seems a pleasant, genuine bloke. Just got this wrong, lacked understanding of the issue but that’s all it is.

As for White, totally respect that. It’s his choice.