The squad feels bigger and, although we have lost a lot of players, we have found two more who will be able to fit in, no problem.”, Euro 2020 qualifiers and international football: 10 things to look out for, Gareth Southgate defends Declan Rice over apparent pro-IRA posts – video. Preparing for a possible England debut after switching international soccer allegiance from Ireland, Declan Rice apologised for past online expressions of support for the IRA. Comments (0) “That is the perils of social media for any of us with kids. The West Ham midfielder recently … Updated: 21 Mar 2019, 16:36. "I think any of us at that age, in those sorts of situations have probably said things, discussed things, written things, that might not look the way that’d we’d want them to several years later, so I don’t think he can say or do any more than he’s said at this point in time. "I understand that it’s not a situation that should just be dismissed but equally the context, the period of time that’s passed and his age at the time is all relevant in how we should deal with it. "There are so many positive things about social media, but, as we know, there are lots of negatives. Comments made by Declan Rice that appear to show support for the IRA when he was 15 have resurfaced following his call up to the England squad. Declan Rice’s start to his England career has been made trickier after old pro-IRA comments on social media have been dug up. Rice wrote the messages on Instagram, including … IRISH Young Player of the Year and proud Englishman Declan Rice has been forced to apologise after pro-IRA social media posts he made in 2015 resurfaced. Declan Rice has issued a statement offering his 'sincere apology' after the emergence of social media messages from in 2015 that appeared to show his support for the IRA. "So I think our fans and our public will recognise that fact.”. Declan Rice has issued an apology for a pro-IRA comment made on social media three-and-a-half years ago. He’s looked excellent. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. The striker has returned to Manchester United for treatment on an ankle injury that has prevented him training this week. Declan Rice’s PR team are going to send him out with the biggest poppy known to man when November comes around — Daniel McDonnell (@McDonnellDan) March 21, 2019. But ahead of tonight’s Euro2020 qualifier with the Czech Republic, he said: “I am aware that a poorly-expressed comment I made when I was a junior player has been circulated on social media. He’s explained how he views the world today and it’s difficult to know without speaking to him what the context of that was. “It would be easy to comment on something without having all of the background and context. “He’s fitted in really well with the team. Preparing for a possible England debut after switching international soccer allegiance from Ireland, Declan Rice apologized Thursday for past online expressions of support for the IRA. the IRA have issued a statement distancing themselves from Declan Rice — mick (@mickthetaig) March 21, 2019. Declan Rice APOLOGISES for historic ‘Up the Ra’ tweets on eve of England debut ENGLAND international Declan Rice wrote ‘Up the Ra’ in old social media posts that have surfaced. Born in England, Rice is of English and Irish descent. First published on Thu 21 Mar 2019 12.28 EDT. Jadon Sancho is likely to make his first competitive start against Czech Republic – ranked 44 in the world but without the Sevilla goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik and their captain, Borek Dockal – after Marcus Rashford became the sixth withdrawal. Declan Rice has issued a statement after old social media posts emerged of him appearing to support the IRA. Rice as 'sincerely apologised' for any offence caused from the words he posted when aged 16. Declan Rice is an English professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or centre-back for Premier League club West Ham United and the England national team. GARETH SOUTHGATE has called for understanding from England fans towards Declan Rice after an old tweet emerged in which the West Ham player appeared to back the IRA. When Declan Rice finds out you’re in the IRA pic.twitter.com/rYOazhdx5M 21 Mar 2019, 16:00. While my naive words were not meant to be a political opinion and do not represent who I am, I sincerely apologise for any offence caused.”. Even so, some Twitter users were quick to hit out at Rice in the wake of the message of support. “I understand it’s not a situation that should just be dismissed but, equally, the context, the period of time that’s passed and his age at the time are all relevant in how we should deal with it,” Southgate said. “It’s not representative of what Declan believes and feels, and his views. LONDON (AP) — Preparing for a possible England debut after switching international soccer allegiance from Ireland, Declan Rice apologized Thursday for past online expressions of support for the IRA. "I recognise now that my attempt to show support for my team-mates at the time could be negatively interpreted. UP THE RA. Declan Rice was forced to make a public apology on the eve of a potential England debut at Wembley after it emerged the West Ham midfielder had posted apparent support for the IRA on social media in 2015. Southgate accepts Declan Rice's apology for IRA tweets. Declan Rice issues apology for making pro-IRA 'Up the RA' comments on social media. Declan Rice was forced to make a public apology on the eve of a potential England debut at Wembley after it emerged the West Ham midfielder had posted apparent support for the IRA … Mitchell is English and his attack has little to do with the fact Grealish pledged his future to England despite playing for Ireland at youth level. The West Ham midfielder, 20, used the phrase "Up the RA" in posts on Instagram and Twitter almost four years ago. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. "And outside of that, the obvious point is that this was when he was 15 or 16 when he was engaged in a social conversation with friends. E ngland's preparations for their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign have been disrupted by controversy after the discovery of an old social media post from Declan Rice.. The West Ham player dramatically switched allegiance from the Republic of Ireland recently despite being heavily involved in the smaller country’s national team setup. And outside of that, the obvious point is that this was when he was 15 or 16 when he was engaged in a social conversation with friends. "You’re in conversations with friends that, you can get giddy and you can say things that maybe you don’t even know enough about or you don’t understand the context. "When they’re socialising with friends, you’re a bit braver in some of your comments or a bit less thoughtful in some of your comments, so I think for all young people that is a danger. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. You just don’t know what that interaction might be. View our online Press Pack. England international footballer Declan Rice has apologised for making a pro-IRA statement on Instagram in 2015. “I think people understand; most people will have children of those sorts of ages and people are still maturing at that age. Rice, now 20, wrote to an Irish under-17s: “ UP THE RA – Wait til we draw England.”. “When I’ve looked back over the two years [and seen] who has scored important goals or made important contributions at different times, the squad has had to evolve,” Southgate said. Commenting is currently disabled on this article. “He’s apologised. Declan Rice has issued an apology for posting support for the IRA three and a half years ago on social media. DECLAN RICE HAS been forced to issue an apology after old social media comments appearing to support the IRA surfaced. But our message doesn’t change and Declan’s statement is consistent with that, so we still would be against any of our supporters taking up that sort of stance and I don’t think anything changes from an FA or England point of view.”, Southgate intended to speak to Rice on Thursday night, while the FA will write to the player and remind him of his responsibilities. The FA will write to Rice warning him about his comments. “I think he’s explained how he views the world today and it’s difficult to know without speaking to him what the context of that was. For other inquiries, Contact Us. “I recognise now that my attempt to show support for my teammates at the time could be negatively interpreted. The midfielder was 16 and a member of the Republic of Ireland’s junior squads at the time of the Instagram comments in which he wrote “upthera” on one, and “my brudda. Declan Rice, the 20-year-old West Ham midfielder, has apologised for comments he made about the IRA when playing for the Republic of Ireland “I am aware a poorly expressed comment I made when I was a junior player has been circulated on social media,” said Rice, who was named Ireland’s young player of the year last week. Declan Rice apologises for posting IRA slogan on Instagram England and West Ham midfielder wrote ‘Up the Ra’ on a comment made in 2015 Thu, … "It would be easy to comment on something without having all of the background and context of it. “Part of that has been looking at bringing younger players in but also that we’ve always had players missing, and you just have to adapt and adjust. Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi, who has never started a Premier League game, may gain his first involvement off the bench as Southgate’s England side continue to develop. LONDON (AP) — Preparing for a possible England debut after switching international soccer allegiance from Ireland, Declan Rice apologized Thursday for past online expressions of support for the IRA. The West Ham midfielder, who has switched allegiance from Ireland to England, put the messages on Instagram when he was 16. Declan Rice has "sincerely apologised" for posting pro-IRA messages on social media in 2015. Ref orders players BACK from dressing room after blowing early, Perez says ESL clubs have 'binding contract', Spurs want Rodgers, Laporte heads in late winner as Pep's City win for FOURTH time in a row, Son Heung-min sobbing as Man City win Carabao Cup with late Laporte goal, ©News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Southgate has called up 71 players and used 56 in his 31 games in charge, and could add Aaron Wan-Bissaka to that number for Monday’s game against Montenegro in Podgorica with the Crystal Palace full-back on standby to link up if further injuries occur. Gareth Southgate said the “uncanny” emergence of the posts would not affect Rice’s involvement against Czech Republic in England’s opening Euro 2020 qualifier on Friday, though the manager is expected to start with the more experienced pair of Jordan Henderson and Eric Dier in central midfield. Wait Till We Draw England” to a teammate on another. Declan Rice in fresh England v Ireland storm as he's forced to apologise for 'Up the Ra' comments that re-emerged after he swapped nations. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. ... twitter facebook reddit copy. There’s real competition for places. Boss Gareth Southgate said: "I’ll go and just make sure he knows that firstly, that he’s OK and that he’s supported. Rice released a statement after the post, made when he … Rice, born in Kingston upon Thames but whose paternal grandparents are from Cork, was a regular in Ireland’s junior teams and was capped three times by the senior side in friendlies. There isn’t a player that has been in the squad who I would hesitate to start in the game.”. Historic social media posts from 2015 show England and West Ham midfielder Declan Rice making pro-IRA comments, which he has apologised for. Gareth Southgate has urged England fans to forgive Declan Rice after apparent pro-IRA tweets he wrote in 2015 resurfaced. After Ireland-England switch, Rice apologizes for IRA tweets By ROB HARRIS March 21, 2019 GMT FILE - In this file photo dated Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, West Ham's Declan Rice during the English Premier League soccer match against Fulham at the London Stadium in London. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. “He’s apologised,” said Southgate, conscious the FA has consistently appealed for England supporters not to engage in anti-IRA chants. Declan Rice has issued a statement offering his 'sincere apology' after the emergence of social media messages from in 2015 that appeared to show his support for the IRA. Social media posts have surfaced of Declan Rice … Thu, 21 Mar, 2019 - … “While my naive words were not meant to be a political opinion and do not represent who I am, I sincerely apologise for any offence caused.”. Rice made three senior appearances for Ireland before switching to play for England and is in his first Three Lions squad. News Corp is a network of leading companies in the worlds of diversified media, news, education, and information services. By The Newsroom Thursday, 21st March 2019, 5:35 pm New England midfielder Declan Rice has apologised for old social media posts he made as a teenager which appear to support the IRA. — Declan Rice (@_DeclanRice) March 10, 2019. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Declan Rice's probably debut for England has been marred by a pro-IRA tweet he sent out when he was 16 Credit: Rex Features Rice, now 20, wrote to an Irish … After much deliberation he switched his international allegiance to England last month. It’s not representative of what he believes and feels, and his views. The 20-year-old West Ham midfielder - … DECLAN RICE apologised for his pro-IRA tweet – and England boss Gareth Southgate urged England fans to go easy on him. ENGLAND star Declan Rice has been forced to issue an apology after posting support for the IRA … He had previously represented the Republic of Ireland internationally at both youth and senior levels, before switching allegiance to England in 2019. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Declan Rice's probably debut for England has been marred by a pro-IRA tweet he sent out when he was 16, England boss Gareth Southgate has pleaded with fans not to give Declan Rice a hard time, This was the ill-advised tweet Declan Rice posted in 2016, apparently showing his support for the IRA, Euro 2020 qualifier England vs Czech Republic: How can I watch, live stream, kick-off time, team news for Wembley game, tonight’s Euro2020 qualifier with the Czech Republic, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). International Soccer March 22, 2019 8:30 am (Updated September 16, 2020 4:34 pm) Declan Rice has issued an apology after comments he made in 2015 showing support for the Irish Republican Army … The new England midfielder Declan Rice issued a statement apologising for historic posts on Instagram that appeared to be supportive of the IRA, the …