Soccer-"It's a joke": Southgate criticises treatment of England defender Maguire

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - England Press Conference - Main Media Center, Doha, Qatar - November 24, 2022 England manager Gareth Southgate and Harry Maguire during a press conference REUTERS/Gareth Bumstead/File Photo

(Reuters) - England manager Gareth Southgate defended Harry Maguire after Scotland fans sarcastically mocked the defender, who scored an own goal in a friendly on Tuesday which England won 3-1 at Hampden Park.

Maguire, who began the match on the bench for England, was brought on at halftime due to an injury to Marc Guehi and faced ironic cheers from the Scottish fans for every pass he completed.