Roy Hodgson warns England players they will face abuse at World Cup finals

Roy Hodgson has warned the England squad to prepare themselves for abuse ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

Raheem Sterling has been one of the players of the season while Manchester City have set a series of Premier League records, but Hodgson, who led England in the last three major international tournaments, says that praise will be mixed with harsh criticism. 

Hodgson, whose Crystal Palace team will face City on Sunday, is not surprised by the abuse 23-year-old Sterling has received following England’s demise against Iceland at Euro 2016.

“I am sorry but, if you want to play for England, that is par for the course,” said Hodgson. “Once you put the England shirt on get ready for abuse. You also get a lot of praise as well. I am sure he has handled that perfectly well.” 

Hodgson hopes that the jail sentence this month for the man who was found guilty of racially aggravated common assault against Sterling will send a message to others. “Let’s hope it deters other people, other hooligans from doing the same thing,” said Hodgson. 

Sterling has scored 17 goals this season and, with Harry Kane also still going from strength to strength, Hodgson believes that the young core he brought into the England team are now in a much better position to achieve on the international stage.