Former England forward Chris Waddle has called for the English FA to impose a two-year ban on Arsenal defender Ben White from national team selection.
White made headlines when he withdrew from England’s squad during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. It was reported that he left the England camp following a clash with assistant coach Steve Holland, and since then, he has not featured for the national team. After his departure from the World Cup, White rejected subsequent call-ups for the remainder of Gareth Southgate’s tenure.
Although White has since expressed his openness to returning to the England squad following Thomas Tuchel’s appointment, Waddle believes the defender should not be allowed to “pick and choose” when he represents his country.
Speaking to 10bet, Waddle said, “I wouldn’t bring Ben White back in. He said he didn’t want to be picked again and threw his toys out of the pram, didn’t he? Now, all of a sudden, he’s okay to play.”
He continued, “So, he wants to pick and choose his England career? You’d never say you didn’t want to play for England. I would never have said that. I’d have played even if I was 50.”
Waddle expressed frustration with modern players who, after initially refusing to play for England, later become available when it suits them. He added, “For the time he didn’t play, he didn’t want to play, so I’d say, ‘Well, we’ll give you the same ban.’ If it’s a year or two years, then I’d consider you in two years’ time. For me, you should never say no. If you don’t get on with the manager or the style of play, fine, you wouldn’t be picked anyway. But if you get a late call-up, you don’t say no.”
White has yet to return to the England fold, and Waddle’s comments reflect a strong stance on players’ commitment to representing their country.
