Wayne Rooney noticed that Jarell Quansah immediately left the pitch and headed into the tunnel as soon as the final whistle blew in England’s 1-0 loss to Iceland

Wayne Rooney noticed that Jarell Quansah immediately left the pitch and headed into the tunnel as soon as the final whistle blew in England’s 1-0 loss to Iceland. Rooney observed this while on the sidelines doing TV commentary. He noted that while the other 26 players stayed on the pitch, Quansah went straight in, likely disappointed and feeling out of place since he wasn’t part of the squad heading to the Euros. Rooney suggested that Southgate should have sent Quansah and other non-selected players home earlier, rather than keeping them around without any intention of playing them, to spare them from such disappointment.

Wayne Rooney recently criticized Gareth Southgate’s handling of Jarell Quansah after England’s loss to Iceland in a pre-Euro 2024 friendly. Quansah, a Liverpool defender, was part of the provisional England squad but was ultimately not selected for the final roster. Despite this, he remained with the team for the Iceland match but did not play.

Rooney observed that Quansah left the pitch immediately after the final whistle, contrasting with the other players who stayed longer. Rooney suggested that Southgate should have sent the non-selected players home after informing them of their status, allowing them a break and readiness in case of any last-minute injuries.

From Liverpool’s perspective, there’s agreement with Rooney’s assessment. It was seen as unfair for Quansah to remain without getting any playtime, especially after the disappointment of not making the final squad. Although international caps should be earned, Quansah’s efforts and merit warranted some recognition during the game. His presence at Wembley without playing seemed unnecessary and mishandled by the England manager.