England football's biggest villains as Ben White becomes latest player to face fan fury

Even after tapping home the opening goal, his name was met with further discontent over the PA system, before a stoppage-time challenge conceded the penalty that allowed Federico Valverde to equalise.

Thomas Tuchel expressed his disappointment at the reception, urging fans to offer support and allow the 28-year-old to write a new chapter.

Yet, as history shows, the "Wembley boo boys" have a long, unforgiving memory.

White is far from the first Three Lions player to be targeted by his own supporters.

The reasons range from high-profile tournament mistakes and off-pitch controversies to the bizarre tradition of punishing players for their club form.

Here is a look at some of the most notable England players who have endured the wrath of their own fans, and why.

David Beckham

Following his petulant red card against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup, David Beckham became public enemy number one.

The vitriol he faced was unprecedented; tabloid effigies were hung outside pubs, and he was mercilessly jeered by England supporters every time he touched the ball.

The hostility stemmed from a bitter sense that his momentary lapse in discipline had cost a talented squad their best chance at international glory.

Yet, Beckham's response remains the ultimate redemption arc. He stoically absorbed the abuse, eventually reclaiming the captaincy and the nation's heart with his legendary, stoppage-time free-kick against Greece in 2001.

His penalty against Argentina at the 2002 World Cup fixed things up, too.

Ashley Cole

Ashley Cole’s relationship with the England faithful was often fraught, boiling over during a 2010 World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan at Wembley.

After an uncharacteristic individual error gifted the visitors a goal, the 90,000-strong crowd turned on him, jeering his every subsequent touch.

The hostility was about more than just a misplaced pass; it was a culmination of intense tabloid scrutiny regarding his private life and his highly controversial transfer from Arsenal to Chelsea.

Despite the toxic atmosphere and the "Cashley" moniker, Cole remained defensively imperious, eventually retiring as England’s most-capped and arguably greatest-ever full-back.

​Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney’s lowest ebb in an England shirt arrived during the dismal 2010 World Cup campaign in South Africa.

Following a lifeless goalless draw against Algeria, a visibly frustrated Rooney sarcastically barked into a live television camera: "Nice to see your own fans booing you."

The travelling supporters, having spent thousands to witness an abysmal performance, had turned their ire on the team's talisman, who was struggling desperately for form.

Rooney became the face of the squad's collective failure and perceived entitlement, though he later apologised and eventually became the nation's all-time leading goalscorer before being surpassed by Harry Kane.

Phil Neville

Phil Neville suffered the cruel fate of being cast as the solitary villain following England's premature exit from Euro 2000.

In the dying moments of a crucial group-stage decider against Romania, the defender committed a clumsy, late tackle to concede a fateful penalty.

The resulting 3-2 defeat sent Kevin Keegan’s men crashing out, and the backlash was swift and merciless.

Neville was ruthlessly scapegoated by the press and fans alike, enduring intense booing from the terraces upon his return to domestic and international duty, forever bearing the brunt of the nation's collective frustration for a wider systemic failure.

John Terry

Following allegations regarding his private life and a high-profile fallout with teammate Wayne Bridge, John Terry was stripped of the captaincy by Fabio Capello.

When he returned to the pitch for a friendly against Egypt in 2010, the reception was toxic.

Every touch was met with a deafening cacophony of boos from his own supporters, who viewed his off-pitch conduct as a stain on the "sanctity" of the captain’s armband.

Despite the persistent jeering, Terry remained a defensive mainstay until his international retirement, though he never truly recaptured the universal respect of the England fan base.

Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling endured a brutal relationship with sections of the England support following the 2016 European Championship.

He was scapegoated for England’s humiliating exit to Iceland, in what ranks as one of the worst nights in Three Lions history.

For nearly two years, he was frequently jeered during home games, with critics citing his lifestyle and high transfer fee as reasons for their ire.

It took a phenomenal run of form leading into the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020 for Sterling to silence the boo boys, eventually becoming the talismanic figure who carried England to their first major final in 55 years.