Ezri Konsa: My family was caught in the crossfire when fans turned on England

Ezri Konsa has revealed his brother and the families of several other players were caught in the crossfire as angry England fans threw cups of beer in frustration after the goalless draw with Slovenia.

While a few plastic cups were pointed in the direction of manager Gareth Southgate as he applauded supporters after the Euro 2024 tie, others were thrown into the stands at the RheinEnergieStadion.

A number of friends and family of the players were sitting in the same area and were hit as drinks flew around the section in reaction to another dour display from England – who topped Group C with five points but scored just two goals in the process.

Asked if the team had spoken about targeting Southgate, Aston Villa defender Konsa replied: “We haven’t spoken about it.

“We were aware of it because I think some of our family members had been drunk. We were aware of it, but we didn’t talk about it as players.

“We are monitoring them. There are children in the stands with their families so you always have to watch them, reassure them and ask them if they are okay.

“We know that in football things like this happen. We try not to think about it too much so we move on.

“My brother was hit, a few others. But we didn’t talk about it much and there’s not much we can do about it.

“I spoke to him afterwards, I asked him how he was and he told me he was fine. It was to the right (of the stadium), it wasn’t directly behind the goal, but it was coming from all sides.”

Konsa has yet to appear in Germany after being named in Southgate’s 26-man squad.

The 26-year-old, however, has played a pivotal role in keeping morale high as England now prepare for their last-16 clash against Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday.

“I’m just trying to keep my spirits as high as possible,” he said.

“We have a big game on Sunday, so it’s important to make the players happy – that’s what I’m trying to do.

“I’m like that, no matter where I am, in my club or in my country. I’m always the joker.”

Konsa, however, will be all business if they have a successful tournament run against Slovakia, insisting he would be more than ready to step in at left-back if Southgate was unable to call on Luke Shaw or Kieran Trippier .

“I tried,” he said of his left-wing play.

“At Charlton I played there a few times – but then I played left-back, right-back, centre-back, all over the back four. I’m more than happy to do it. Obviously left-back is a bit different, but wherever the manager wants to put me I’ll do my best and give it my all.

“As a player, in modern football, like at Manchester City, it’s also important to see centre-backs playing left-back, right-back and it’s something that’s happening more and more often. For me, it’s something I’ve done my whole career and I’m happy to do it.”

It’s not just Konsa who entertains his teammates, as he admitted he hosts nightly showings of Love Island at camp after the squad has watched the other Euro 2024 matches.

One thing that has yet to hit English grassroots television screens is the general election debates.

Players will, however, be able to vote on July 4 if they are still in Germany preparing for a quarter-final against Italy or Switzerland.

The PA news agency understands the Football Association has contacted player representatives to explain how to request a postal or proxy vote – although the FA has not put pressure on its players to vote .