Manager Gareth Southgate says he is “tremendously proud” of how his England players have spoken out on racism and campaigned for charity in recent times.
Raheem Sterling and Tyrone Mings have both voiced their opinions on the Black Lives Matters movement.
Jordan Henderson led a players’ initiative to raise money for the NHS, while Marcus Rashford has worked with a charity that helps feed children.
Southgate said he has “great admiration for the maturity they are showing”.
“We have group of players who understand they have an opportunity to make a difference – that their voices are heard – but they do that with some responsibility as well,” Southgate told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“If you believe in something strongly enough and have the opportunity to make a difference then that is something you have to grasp.”
Southgate has spoken to BBC Radio 5 Live in a wide-ranging interview, which will be broadcast at 19:00 BST on Tuesday. In it he discusses football’s fight against racism, how he has kept up with his England players during lockdown and how football can respond after the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking this week following the death of George Floyd and the subsequent anti-racism protests across the world, Manchester City forward Sterling said progress in the fight against racism will only come in football when more black players become managers.
Southgate said there have been “forward strides” in the global fight against racism but “huge steps” are still needed.
“I think this crosses over all professions really,” he said.
“I have always been in a dressing room where a high percentage of the dressing room were black so I didn’t know anything different until I stepped out of that environment.
“I wasn’t as conscious of it as I have become over the last few years.
“I think yes, we should as a sport talk about opportunities for coaches and managers but there is also administration and many other areas of the game where we employ people in analysis departments and medical departments.
