England vs Czech Republic: Gareth Southgate plays down Declan Rice’s ‘Up the Ra’ comments after apology

Rice found himself at the centre of an IRA controversy for comments he made on social media when he was 16 as he prepares to make his England debut weeks after switching allegiance from the Republic of Ireland

Gareth Southgate has called for understanding after Declan Rice’s apparently pro-IRA social media posts were revealed on the eve of his England debut.

Rice is in line to play for England against the Czech Republic at Wembley tonight, having switched his allegiance from the Republic of Ireland, who he had represented all the way up to senior level.

But back when Rice was 16, and playing for Republic of Ireland’s Under-17 side, he wrote “Up the ‘Ra” on Instagram. The phrase traditionally indicates support from the IRA, especially when used in the song ‘Ooh ah up the Ra’.

Rice, who is now 20 years old, issued an apology for the posts on his Instagram account on Thursday afternoon. “I recognise my attempt to show support for my team-mates at the time could be negatively interpreted,” Rice wrote. “I sincerely apologise for any offence caused.”

Southgate was questioned at length about Rice’s posts in his press conference at Wembley on Thursday afternoon. He had not even had the chance to speak to Rice at this point, but Southgate confirmed he would be speaking to the West Ham midfielder before the Czech Republic game.

But Southgate’s comments were never critical of the defiant camp-swapper, instead making clear that he believes that players should not be too harshly treated for mistaken comments they made on social media when they were minors. And that those comments, while unsavoury, should be viewed in that context.

“Yes, I’ll go and just make sure he knows that firstly, that he’s OK and that he’s supported,” Southgate said. “I understand that it’s not a situation that should just be dismissed. But equally the context, the period of time that’s passed and his age at the time is all relevant in how we should deal with it.”

Southgate called for Rice’s comments to be taken in the appropriate context, rather than read too literally. “I think he’s explained how he views the world today,” Southgate said. “And it’s difficult to know without speaking to him what the context of that was. It would be easy to comment on something without having all of the background and context of it.”

Given how many players find themselves embarrassed by historical social media posts, Southgate reminded the world that teenagers are not “mature”. And he hoped that England fans, preparing to welcome Rice into the team for the first time, would understand that about Rice. Because the situation of making misguided social comments when young is not unique to Rice or even to football.

Rice apologised for past comments made about the IRA while still a Republic of Ireland youth player (Reuters)

“I think they [the fans] will understand both the situation he’s found himself in, in transferring across national teams, and the situation he’s found himself in today,” Southgate said. “I think people will recognise their own experiences at 15, 16 and that they’re not mature [at that age]. We’ve got some 19 and 20 year olds. They’re not the finished person. None of us are, but you know, you’ve got a lot more to learn about life at those ages than you have when you get to our age, or my age. I don’t want to put you in that bracket.”

Southgate insisted it would not change whether or not Rice, who has shone for West Ham in midfield this season, would start England’s Euro 2020 qualifier on Friday night. “It won’t affect anything in that respect,” he said. “He’s fitted in really well with the team. He’s looked excellent. There isn’t a player that has been in the squad who I would hesitate to start in the game, so I am very confident in all of them.”

The main selection decision Southgate has to make is whether Jadon Sancho or Callum Hudson-Odoi start in place of Marcus Rashford, who pulled out of the England squad with an injury.