Wolves and the FA issues a statement after a video emerges on social media this week of England under 16s players fighting.
According to reports, the incident took place in a hotel, and is said to have happened when the squad were on international duty in Turkey back in October 2025.
Daily Mail Sport said that it all started when “one of the players had been teased for having a Nokia mobile phone”.
Club Statement: Academy Player https://t.co/M27xbVvHTZ
— Wolves (@Wolves) July 26, 2026
As more and more views kept coming in, a spokesperson for the Football Association responded, giving clarity, confirmation and assured that measures were taken at the time of the incident.
They said to various media outlets throughout the week, including The Sun: “We were made aware of an internal matter during an mens under 16s camp in October 2025. This was quickly resolved at the time.”
After being asked for a response by social media users, on Sunday, the 26th of July 2026, a statement was issued by Wolves, who say they “are aware of footage from a previous England youth camp involving one the club’s academy players which has recently resurfaced on social media.
“The club is satisfied that the widely shared footage captures only part of a much broader sequence of events and does not reflect the full circumstances surrounding the incident, during which the young player had been subjected to repeated behaviour that caused him significant distress.
“Wolves staff are disappointed by those continuing to share the footage in question and condemn, in the strongest possible terms, those who have sought to identify, threaten and abuse the young person involved. Instances of extreme abuse and threats have already been shared with police.”
Academy director Jonathan Hunter-Barrett said: “Whilst the academy does not condone violence under any circumstances, it is important to recognise that this footage captures only the final moments of a much longer sequence of events. It does not reflect the repeated behaviour this young player had been subjected to, the significant distress he had experienced beforehand, or the circumstances that led to the incident.
“Those of us who know this young man understand that the footage is not an accurate reflection of either his character or the circumstances he found himself in. He is respectful, humble and has consistently demonstrated the standards and values we expect from our academy players, earning the respect of both staff and teammates through the way he conducts himself every day.
“Like all young people, Academy players learn and develop through both positive and difficult experiences. We are incredibly proud of the person he is today, and of the way he has responded to this distressing incident and the subsequent attention it has received, both when the footage first emerged in 2025 and again in recent days.
“This has been an extremely difficult period for him and his family. Our priority is their welfare, and we will continue to provide them with the care and support they need.
“We would also encourage people to consider the impact of sharing and commenting on footage involving minors and young people. Behind every video is a person and a family, and their wellbeing should always be at the forefront of our minds.
“As a club, we do not tolerate bullying, intimidation or abuse in any form. Supporting and protecting the welfare of our young people will always be our priority, and our commitment is to continue supporting young players in their development, both as footballers and, more importantly, as people.”
The likes of Pepe Guardiola and Erik ten Hag in years gone by have previously banned phones so footballers can improve their focus.
Peterborough co-owner Darragh MacAnthony appeared on talkSPORT this week and said: “I make nothing of it. It was dealt with by the FA a few years ago. It was a load of 16-year-olds having a scuffle.
“It goes on every day, everywhere in the world. I guess they’re held to a higher standard because they’re young footballers.
“I’ve got two problems with it, not with the two idiots who were fighting. I’ve got a problem with the idiot stood there filming it.
“I think that’s modern day for you. That everyone’s behind a camera phone and nobody intervened. Back in the day, I would have stepped in and gone, ‘what are you doing? You pair of morons.’
“And I’ve got an issue with whoever leaked it, and again, that’s the world we live in nowadays. That shouldn’t even be out in the press. I don’t know why the media are even talking about it.
“It goes on up and down the country. Every football club, by the way and I’ll give you an example.
“Our academy, years ago, and these players are gone. One of them we sold for a lot of money.
“We had two players who were caught shoplifting when they were 14. They were in our academy.
“And one of them, when they got caught, nearly arrested and the police came, he gave another academy player’s name and dobbed him in instead. Now, is that national news? Is that important?
“I’m not saying it’s boys being boys because you don’t want to see any of that crap go on. What I’m saying is we’re blowing it up.
“It’s a nothing burger that, again, the media are outraged about. They’re two idiots obviously rowing, it doesn’t matter if they’re in an England kit.
“They’re both under 16 and, honestly, you call that a fight? It’s fisticuffs, is basically what it is.
“Like I said, my issue is with the idiots watching and whoever leaked it from a camera phone.
“That’s obviously somebody who’s probably not in football anymore, has been released, who thought I’m going to put that out.”
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