Chris Waddle demands lifetime ban for Arsenal's Ben White
- Waddle argues players who refuse call-ups should never represent England again.
- Ben White is currently in the England squad for upcoming Nations League matches.
- White has stated he has no complaints regarding boos from England fans.
- The defender returned to the national setup in March 2026 under Thomas Tuchel.
Former England international Chris Waddle has publicly demanded that Arsenal defender Ben White receive a lifetime ban from the national team for his previous refusal to play. Waddle, who earned 62 caps for England, made the comments in a recent interview with iGaming.com.
Waddle argued that White should have been banned for life for refusing to play for his country at Euro 2024. He suggested that any player who turns down an England call-up should have an asterisk next to their name to ensure they never play for the team again.
This controversy over national team loyalty comes as the England cricket team prepares for a major three-Test series in South Africa starting December 17. The cricket squad, now led by head coach Stephen Fleming, includes Liam Patterson-White as the only frontline spinner.
Ben White remains in England squad for Nations League
Ben White remains in the England squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain.
Thomas Tuchel urged England supporters not to boo the Arsenal defender on 6 November 2026.
White stated on 9 November 2026 that he has no complaints regarding the negative fan reaction.
He said on 9 November 2026 that fans would not boo him if they knew the full story behind his self-imposed exile.
White addresses the 'full story' behind his exile
Regarding his exile, White told BBC Radio 5 live that "people don't know the full story". He stated that he refuses to "put anyone under the bus" in relation to his period away from the squad.
Thomas Tuchel oversees White's return to international football
White returned to the England setup in March 2026 after accepting a call-up from manager Thomas Tuchel. He played in friendlies against Japan and Uruguay during that period.
Jordan Henderson expressed support for White in March. Thomas Tuchel has referred to the decision to bring the defender back as a "new chapter".
Jacob Bethell has returned to the squad after recovering from a knee injury that caused him to miss the home Test series against Pakistan.
World Cup departure and previous management stance
White had not played for England since the 2022 World Cup. He departed that tournament before the group stage concluded for "personal reasons".
Former England manager Gareth Southgate had previously stated he would select White if the defender made himself available.
Profile of Benjamin William White
Benjamin William White is a professional footballer.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Patterson-White wins maiden England call in Test squad for South Africa (cricinfo.com)
- Ben White: England legend demands 'lifetime ban' for Arsenal FC star after squad snub (standard.co.uk)
- Ben White (footballer) (Wikipedia — background) (en.wikipedia.org)
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