England Under-21 players confront fan filmed in changing room during away win in Kazakhstan
Video circulating on social media shows members of Lee Carsley’s squad attempting to block a spectator who appeared to be filming them through a partly obscured window
England Under-21 players confronted a spectator who appeared to be filming them in their dressing room after the team’s 2-0 victory in Kazakhstan, footage posted on social media shows.
The clip, which has circulated online since the match, shows a fan pointing a camera at a window overlooking the England changing area that was only partly obscured by shutters. Players including Arsenal teenager Ethan Nwaneri and Tottenham midfielder Archie Gray were seen reacting angrily. Nwaneri, 18, can be seen throwing a towel at the window in an attempt to block the camera while another player places a towel against the glass; the individual holding the camera then lifts it higher to continue filming.
Lee Carsley’s side opened their qualifying campaign for the 2027 European Under-21 Championship with a 2-0 win at the Ortalyq Stadion on Monday. Nwaneri and Jobe Bellingham were the scorers as England began defence of the title they won in both 2023 and 2025. The match was England’s first Group D fixture ahead of a scheduled meeting with Moldova on Wednesday.
The qualifying group also contains Slovakia, the Republic of Ireland and Andorra. Group winners will advance directly to the 2027 finals in Albania and Serbia, while runners-up will enter the playoff stage.
It was not immediately clear when the footage was recorded. Daily Mail Sport reported the video and said the England squad members tried to block the filming. The Football Association had been contacted for comment, according to published reports, but no official response had been provided in the footage’s immediate aftermath.
The episode prompted discussion on social media about player privacy and stadium access during international fixtures. Changing-room areas are typically regarded as private team spaces at professional matches, and incidents involving cameras in or near such areas can raise concerns about safeguarding and stadium security. Organisers and national associations generally manage access and facilities at away venues in coordination with host federations.
England’s Under-21s will continue their qualifying schedule as planned. The squad remains two-time defending champions at this age level and will aim to build on the victory in central Asia as they pursue a place at the 2027 finals.