A TORY MP has been slammed for “hypocrisy” after he told England football player Tyrone Mings to "focus on football, not politics" - despite previously backing a footballer who supported Brexit.
Andrew Rosindell MP faced widespread backlash after he replied to a tweet from the football player hitting back at Home Secretary Priti Patel.
Mings told Patel: "You don’t get to stoke the fire at the beginning of the tournament by labelling our anti-racism message as ‘Gesture Politics’ & then pretend to be disgusted when the very thing we’re campaigning against, happens."
You don’t get to stoke the fire at the beginning of the tournament by labelling our anti-racism message as ‘Gesture Politics’ & then pretend to be disgusted when the very thing we’re campaigning against, happens. https://t.co/fdTKHsxTB2
— Tyrone Mings (@OfficialTM_3) July 12, 2021
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Patel had previously refused to criticise fans who booed the team for taking the knee in protest against racial injustice.
After England lost to Italy in the Euro 2020 final there has been a torrent of racist abuse directed at England players Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka.
Rosindell replied to Mings's tweet, saying: "We are all proud of our England team, who have had the support of the whole country over recent weeks, but please focus of [sic] football, not politics. If you win for England, you win for everyone!"
We are all proud of our England team, who have had the support of the whole country over recent weeks, but please focus of football, not politics. If you win for England, you win for everyone! 🏴🇬🇧 https://t.co/kZVM5Y2Z1Z
— Andrew Rosindell MP (@AndrewRosindell) July 13, 2021
But Twitter users were quick to point out that the Tory MP had previously praised another England footballer, Sol Campbell, for backing Brexit.
In 2016, Rosindell tweeted: "Glad to hear football legend @SolManOfficial is backing @vote_leave on June 23rd #brexit."
Some have pointed out the argument below is undermined by a previous apparent welcoming of football and politics mixing https://t.co/ijB7WWlip5 pic.twitter.com/2ttVhBrpEW
— Dan Roan (@danroan) July 14, 2021
READ MORE: Marcus Rashford: Manchester anti-racism rally held in support of England star
Just so were clear Andrew -
— Nicholas Fitterson (@marquoth) July 13, 2021
Footballers "getting involved in politics" to support brexit: ✅
Footballers "getting involved in politics" to oppose racism: ❌
Yes?
That isnt telling footballers to stay out of politics. Its telling black men what they are and arent allowed to say pic.twitter.com/JwSg9CgqsT
Meanwhile, SNP MP David Linden pointed out on Twitter that Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross is an assistant referee.
He said: "Hey @AndrewRosindell … why is it ok for @Douglas4Moray to focus on football AND politics but not @OfficialTM_3 [Tyrone Mings]?"
Hey @AndrewRosindell… why is it ok for @Douglas4Moray to focus on football AND politics but not @OfficialTM_3? 🤔 https://t.co/W4Fo0vLFw8
— David Linden MP (@DavidLinden) July 13, 2021
Imagine living in a country - where no matter what job you do, it limits what you can speak out about. Andrew, people can speak about what they want, you can’t control words https://t.co/rpof0oWs2F
— Janey Godley (@JaneyGodley) July 14, 2021
Otherwise known as “when it suits”. Hypocrisy keeps flowing
— Jez Richards (@jezrichards) July 14, 2021
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