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 beer glasses in frustration after the 0-0 draw with Slovenia.

While a few plastic cups were aimed at manager Gareth Southgate as he applauded supporters after the Euro 2024 stalemate, others were thrown into the stands at the RheinEnergieStadion.

Several friends and family of the players were sitting in the same area and were shocked as drinks flew around the section in reaction to another lacklustre performance from England – who topped Group C with five points but only managed to score 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 checking their condition. There are children in the stands with their families, so we always have to check on them, reassure them and ask them if they are okay.

“We know that in football these things happen. We try not to think about it too much and move on.

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.

Ezri Konsa

“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 said he was fine. It was to the right (of the stadium), it wasn’t directly behind the goal, but it was coming from all angles.

Konsa is yet to play in Germany after being selected in Southgate’s 26-man squad.

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

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

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

“I am like that, no matter where I am, club or country. I’m still just a joker.

Konsa, however, will be dead serious if he makes his tournament debut against Slovakia, insisting he would be more than ready to step in at left-back if Southgate is unable to call upon 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.

“It’s also important that as a player, in modern football – like at Manchester City, you 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.

Konsa isn’t the only one keeping his team-mates entertained, as he admitted he’s hosting late-night screenings of Love Island at the camp after the squad have watched the rest of the Euro 2024 games.

One thing that has yet to be shown on English grassroots television screens are 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 players’ representatives to explain how to apply to vote by post or proxy – although the FA has not pressured its players to vote.