A former Premier League player has been criticised after saying Phil Foden has a ‘loser’s mentality’ for leaving England’s Euro 2024 camp.

On Wednesday, it was confirmed that Foden had temporarily left the England camp due to a family matter.

As reported by Sky News, an FA spokesperson said the Manchester City star had “temporarily left the England camp and returned to the UK for a pressing family matter”.

However, it is expected that Foden will rejoin the squad ahead of Sunday’s round of 16 match against Slovakia.

Reacting to the Foden news, former Premier League player turned boxer Curtis Woodhouse wrote on social media: “If Foden has gone home for the birth of his child I don’t rate it at all.

“You can scream and shout at me all you like but it’s a losers mentality. Stay locked in, the baby will still be a baby when you get home. Rubbish.”

However, Woodhouse’s comment did not go down well, one fan said: “No football match, or anything for that matter, would stop me being with my wife while our child is being born. Football will come and go, your child is your life.”

Another tweeted: “No way, football or not, that’s a cold-hearted take. What if it’s not a straightforward pregnancy? All mothers need help after birth regardless.”

A third fan added: “Probably the worst take I’ve ever seen.”

Someone else wrote: “Proper loser ain’t he? Only 6 league titles, Champions League. Top goal scorer. Yeah, proper loser being a good dad and caring for his wife. What if something happened to his new baby or wife?”

A fifth commented: “Nah, no way. That’s an awful take. Private jets are like buses to these guys. He can be home and back before most of us can get to work and back, and in much more comfort. If anything, it shows a commitment to responsibility and decency. Characteristics any leader needs.”

Former City player Trevor Sinclair said: “It could work the other way, Curtis. When I returned home in 2002 for 24 hrs, under different circumstances, it was so uplifting to see my family and the reason why I felt so refreshed rejoining camp & ended up thriving during the tournament.”

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