Southgate ‘seething’, defender will never play for England again

Gareth Southgate TEAMtalk

Kyle Walker will never play for England again while Gareth Southgate is in charge, according to the Daily Star.

The Manchester City defender’s international career is over, aged 29, after the England boss was left furious by his actions last week.

Walker has not been involved in an England squad this season, with Southgate opting for youth over experience for the Euro 2020 qualifiers, but now the former Sheffield United man has hammered the final nails in his own international coffin.

The England boss “has been left seething” with Walker following his faux pas last week when he broke government lockdown rules.

The Sun claimed Walker “partied with escort Louise McNamara, 21, and a 24-year-old ­Brazilian call girl” after he and a friend invited them to his apartment in Hale, Cheshire.

Walker has since issued a grovelling apology, while he faces an internal investigation by his club, but the report says “the crude mistake will prove to be the final straw for Southgate, who has no intention of handing the full back a recall ever again”.

Walker’s apology was issued on Sunday, the same day as the tabloid’s expose.

“I want to take this opportunity to issue a public apology for the choices I made last week which have resulted in a story today (Sunday) about my private life in a tabloid newspaper,” Walker’s statement read.

“I understand that my position as a professional footballer brings the responsibility of being a role model. As such, I want to apologise to my family, friends, football club, supporters and the public for letting them down.”

A club statement read: “Manchester City FC are aware of a story in a tabloid newspaper regarding the private life of Kyle Walker in relation to a breach of the UK lockdown and social distancing rules.

“Footballers are global role models, and our staff and players have been working to support the incredible efforts of the NHS and other key workers in fighting the effects of the Covid-19 coronavirus, in any way we can. Kyle’s actions in this matter have directly contravened these efforts.

“We are disappointed to hear the allegations, note Kyle’s swift statement and apology, and will be conducting an internal disciplinary procedure in the coming days.”