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England could walk off if players racially abused in Argentina
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37'
Yellow card Elliot ANDERSON (England) is booked by
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42'
Yellow card Lisandro MARTINEZ (Argentina) is booked by
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51'
Yellow card Cristian ROMERO (Argentina) is booked by
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55'
Goal Anthony GORDON (England) scores!!
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85'
Goal Enzo FERNANDEZ (Argentina) scores!!
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90'+2'
Goal Lautaro MARTINEZ (Argentina) scores!!
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Yellow card Rodrigo DE PAUL (Argentina) is booked
England squad
- Selected
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1 Jordan PICKFORD Goalkeeper
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4 Declan RICE Midfielder
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5 John STONES Defender
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6 Marc GUEHI Defender
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8 Elliot ANDERSON Midfielder
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9 Harry KANE C Forward
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10 Jude BELLINGHAM Midfielder
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17 Morgan ROGERS Midfielder
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18 Anthony GORDON Forward
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24 Reece JAMES Defender
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25 Djed SPENCE Defender
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2 Ezri KONSA Defender
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3 Nico OREILLY Defender
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7 Bukayo SAKA Forward
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11 Marcus RASHFORD Forward
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12 Trevoh CHALOBAH Defender
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13 Dean Henderson Goalkeeper
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14 Jordan HENDERSON Midfielder
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15 Dan BURN Defender
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16 Kobbie MAINOO Midfielder
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19 Ollie WATKINS Forward
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20 Noni MADUEKE Forward
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21 Eberechi EZE Midfielder
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22 Ivan TONEY Forward
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23 James TRAFFORD Goalkeeper
- Full squad
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26 Jarell QUANSAH Defender
Argentina squad
- Selected
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3 Nicolas TAGLIAFICO Defender
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5 Leandro PAREDES Midfielder
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6 Lisandro MARTINEZ Defender
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9 Julian ALVAREZ Forward
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10 Lionel MESSI C Forward
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13 Cristian ROMERO Defender
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17 Giuliano SIMEONE Forward
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20 Alexis MAC ALLISTER Midfielder
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23 Emiliano MARTINEZ Goalkeeper
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24 Enzo FERNANDEZ Midfielder
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26 Nahuel MOLINA Defender
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1 Juan MUSSO Goalkeeper
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2 Marcos SENESI Defender
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4 Gonzalo MONTIEL Defender
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7 Rodrigo DE PAUL Midfielder
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8 Valentin BARCO Midfielder
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11 Giovani Lo Celso Midfielder
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12 Geronimo RULLI Goalkeeper
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14 Exequiel PALACIOS Midfielder
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15 Nico GONZALEZ Midfielder
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16 Thiago ALMADA Forward
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18 Nico PAZ Forward
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19 Nicolas OTAMENDI Defender
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21 Jose Manuel LOPEZ Forward
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22 Lautaro MARTINEZ Forward
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25 Facundo MEDINA Defender
England captain Jamie George has said the team are considering walking off the pitch if any player suffers racial abuse during Saturday's Nations Championship match against Argentina, following an incident marred by such abuse during last year's fixture in San Juan. That game saw England replacements Asher Opoku-Fordjour and Chandler Cunningham-South racially abused, an incident World Rugby condemned but for which no perpetrators were identified, adding fresh tension ahead of this weekend's rematch in a country already whipped up by a Messi-inspired football World Cup semi-final comeback.
George said England have discussed a "plan B" should abuse occur again, with the first step being to alert the referee so protocols can be triggered, while further action is still being finalised with input from players of different ethnic backgrounds. The Argentine Rugby Federation has since introduced anti-abuse messaging across tickets, screens and stadium announcements, plus a mandatory code of conduct for provincial unions, though tensions remain after a heated November clash in which Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi accused England's Tom Curry of bullying and pushing him. Kick-off is at 20:10 BST on Saturday in Santiago del Estero, with England having won nine of their last ten meetings with Argentina.
In short
- England may walk off if players face racial abuse again in Argentina
- Follows unresolved abuse of two England players in San Juan last year
- Argentina has introduced new anti-abuse measures ahead of Saturday's match
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Player welfare and dignity must be paramount, and England's stance signals that racial abuse is unconscionable. When previous incidents went unpunished despite clear wrongdoing, walking off demonstrates that words and protocols alone have failed and establishes that racism carries genuine consequences in sport. Taking such decisive action protects athletes and sends an unambiguous message that discrimination is intolerable.
The case against
Argentina's recent initiatives—mandatory codes of conduct, anti-abuse messaging, and stadium protocols—represent genuine systemic change that warrants a fair chance to succeed. Walking off would hold an entire rugby community accountable for the actions of unidentified individuals, potentially damaging the sport and diplomatic relations, when collaborative problem-solving through proper reporting channels and referee protocols offers a more constructive and proportionate path toward lasting change.
Explained simply
English rugby players were subjected to racial abuse during a match against Argentina last year. Two players received racist remarks from supporters during a fixture in San Juan, but those responsible were never identified despite World Rugby condemning the incident.
This unresolved issue has become relevant again as the teams are set to meet on Saturday. In response, Argentina's rugby federation has introduced anti-abuse measures including stadium messaging and codes of conduct for provincial unions.