Wag documentary? Not on my watch, says captain
Harry Kane says he would oppose any attempts by the wives or girlfriends of other England players to film a Netflix documentary during the World Cup in Qatar.
The England captain added that it would be an unnecessary “distraction” and that his wife, Kate, would have no intention in taking part.
Kane’s view was echoed by Gareth Southgate, the England manager, who said he would be surprised if the players allowed it, and that he objected to the term “Wags” (“wives and girlfriends”).
“I actually think the term ‘Wags’ is quite disrespectful, it’s their partners and family. I don’t like the term,” Southgate said.
“I’d be surprised if the group of players we’ve got would have an interest in that [series] because they’ve wanted to focus on football.”
There have been suggestions that Netflix has approached the partners of some players – including Jack Grealish’s girlfriend Sasha Attwood and Luke Shaw’s wife Anouska Santos – to see whether they would be interested in filming a docuseries.
The proposal would involve following the partners as they go about their everyday lives before the finals, in what appears to be an attempt to exploit the renewed interest in footballers’ wives following the high-profile libel trial between Coleen Rooney and
Rebekah Vardy. “We’ve created this really good environment where friends and family, girlfriends and wives have been part of the team and the group,” Kane explained.
“Last summer [during the Covidaffected Euros] was a bit different obviously, but I’ve not been contacted about my wife [being involved] and she hasn’t, so I’m not sure whose have been.
“We want to focus on the World Cup and we don’t want any distraction from that.”