Arsenal ace Ben White's England exile 'due to Steve Holland remark' at World Cup | OneFootball

Ben White is said to have made himself unavailable for England because he was upset at an exchange with Gareth Southgate's assistant Steve Holland at the World Cup in Qatar.

The Telegraph report that White’s self-imposed England exile started with a “barbed comment” from Holland in front of the England squad.

That rift between White and Holland eventually led the Arsenal defender asking to leave the England squad in Doha to return home.

Southgate last week denied any fall-out between White and Holland, saying: “That is not the reason that Ben is unavailable for selection. There’s never any issue with Steve Holland [and White], because that has sort of been mentioned in articles and I don't like that.”

The Telegraph report White was unhappy after a conversation with Holland in front of the rest of the squad.

Holland is said to have asked defender Kyle Walker a question relating to Manchester City’s performance in the previous season.

When he asked the same of White relating to Arsenal, the 26-year-old said that he did not know the answer.

The Telegraph claim “Holland responded by saying that was because White was not sufficiently interested in football”. The report says “it was that moment that ultimately led to the player asking to come home”.

The FA announced on November 30 that White had left their camp for “personal reasons” and asked that his privacy be respected.