Michail Antonio branded a hypocrite over 'embarrassing' Harry Maguire comments
Michail Antonio has been branded a hypocrite following his comments about Harry Maguire.
The West Ham forward has leapt to the defence of Maguire, following the Manchester United defender's own-goal for England during the Three Lions' 3-1 win over Scotland.
Maguire has endured a very difficult couple of seasons at Old Trafford, with the 30-year-old stripped of the captaincy and reduced to a bit part player under Erik ten Hag.
However, Antonio reckons Maguire was one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League previously and labelled the treatment he is receiving "embarrassing".
Speaking on the Footballer's Football podcast, Antonio said: "It's gone way, way, way too far. It's actually embarrassing. I've never seen this in football, ever."
"That person can be absolutely destroyed. And anytime he does anything wrong, and it could not be his fault, he could just be involved in it, it's his fault.
"I remember one game last season, the ball has been kicked into his face, yeah? It's gone into the net and they're like: 'Oh it's Harry Maguire'.
"And we're like, there's nothing you can actually do, there's nothing you can do with that situation. So, people definitely do forget that people are human and it's obviously going to affect them mentally.
"He went from being an unbelievable centre-half, I think one of the best in the Premier League when he was at hull, when he was at Leicester to half of a man. He is half of a man now."
However, fans have branded Antonio a "hypocrite" after he mocked Richarlison for his struggles in a Tottenham shirt last season.
Antonio and Newcastle striker Callum Wilson recalled the occasions Richarlison removed his shirt in celebration after scoring, only for the goal to be chalked off for offside.
"He's scored four times this season," Antonio began. "Three of the times he's been offside [and] he's taken his top off four times this season.
"He's got four yellows – he's almost on a suspension," Wilson added, before the pair burst into fits of laughter.
And fans haven't forgotten the 33-year-old's comments, calling him out on social media.
Taking to Twitter, one fan wrote: "Got a point but also contradicting with you and Wilson on Richarilson."
"But it's OK for him and Wilson to publicly cane Richarlison?" another added.
"Same lad giving it to Richarlison for weeks", a third chimed in.
"Antonio is embarrassing - hypocrite", a fourth exclaimed.
What do you think of Antonio's comments? Let us know in the comments.
Henry
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