Irish journalist covering England games writes open letter to abusive football fans

Sky News reporter Enda Brady has responded to the online abuse he has received as an Irish journalist covering England World Cup games.

Brady has been covering the Three Lions at the 2018 FIFA World Cup for Sky this summer but insists that he is not upset at the abuse he has received during the tournament but rather grateful for the opportunity to report from Russia. https://twitter.com/SkyEnda/status/1017098802673614848

"Every single time I've checked my Twitter feed over the last month they've been there," Brady wrote in a piece for Sky. "Has it upset me? Not in the slightest. Russia has been out-of-this-world fantastic and I'll take away memories that will last a lifetime. "So what is it about an Irish accent covering an England football team that so enrages the keyboard warriors? "I've had abuse from people in Ireland, Scotland and England, with one guy describing me as a "Quisling" for having the nerve to wish England good luck ahead of their semi-final against Croatia. Seriously? Comparing me to a Nazi collaborator? "Here's the thing - I've spent 25 years studying, working and living in England and if I want to wish the team well, I will. "They're a great bunch of lads who have been brilliant ambassadors for their country out here. It has been a privilege covering their time here."

https://twitter.com/Paulmcgrath5/status/1018399290912329728 https://twitter.com/SkyEnda/status/1018186782112919552 England bowed out of the World Cup on Saturday following a 2-0 loss to Belgium in their third place play-off and manager Gareth Southgate said after the game that his side were nowhere near their opponents peak.

“Belgium are a better side than us,” Southgate told ITV after the game.

“We had to play flat out. We had a day less to repair and recover. It was a game too far for us.

“Belgium are a top team and they will be thinking they should have gone further than they did. We caused them problems and pinned them back but they have players of the highest quality.

“Two years on, you look at the number of caps and age of squad for Belgium. This is their peak but we are nowhere near that and we knew that the whole way through.”