Socceroos great slams Prince William’s ‘patronising’ Matildas move

Socceroos great Craig Foster has slammed Prince William’s reaction to the Matildas devastating World Cup defeat against England.

Prince William has come under attack for a message he sent to the Matildas.

Craig Foster isn’t here for a “pat on the head” from his future king.

The 29-time Socceroo and staunch republican reacted angrily to Prince William’s attempt to congratulate the Matildas in the wake of their 3-1 World Cup semi-final defeat against England.

Shortly after Australian hearts were broken, the Prince sent a message to the players from both teams.

“What a phenomenal performance from the Lionesses — on to the final!” William wrote to the official Prince and Princess of Wales Twitter account after the tense semi-final came to a close.

“Commiserations to the Matildas, you’ve played brilliantly and been fantastic co-hosts of this World Cup. W”

King Charles was also full of praise for both teams.

“My wife and I join all our family in sending the mighty Lionesses our warmest congratulations on reaching the final of the World Cup, and in sharing our very best wishes for Sunday’s match,” he said.

“While your victory may have cost the magnificent Matildas their chance for the greatest prize in the game, both teams have been an inspiration on and off the pitch – and, for that, both nations are united in pride, admiration and respect.”

Craig Foster. Picture: Christian Anstey

But Foster, who is the co-chair of the Australian Republican Movement, didn’t want to hear it.

“You’ve been proudly supporting England all tournament. Not a word for Australia. Not that we expect it. We prefer the honesty. Without the patronising pat on the head in defeat,” Foster tweeted.

“Support the Lionesses & let us get on with our business, mate.”

William is president of Britain’s Football Association, so it’s been no surprise to see him publicly supporting England.

But Foster has open disdain for the royal family.

“I’ve always had an aversion to the concept of royalty – the concept that one set of humans is more special than any other,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald earlier this year.

He has also described it as “embarrassing” that Charles is Australia’s king.

“It’s embarrassing to an increasing number of Australians actually,” he says. “And that is in part because of who Charles is. Australia is able to look at our new king and say it’s obvious to us all that we would not elect him to any position in this country.”