Socceroos legend Craig Foster slams Prince William for not supporting the Matildas at the Women’s World Cup

Australian football great and social justice campaigner Craig Foster has accused Prince William of not supporting the Matildas after the heir to the throne wished England good luck at the Women’s World Cup.

The Prince of Wales, who is also the president of the Football Association, faced major backlash over his decision not to fly to Australia for England’s first World Cup final since 1966, despite members of the Spanish royal family traveled to Down Under.

In a video posted to the social media account of the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince William wished the lionesses luck along with his daughter Princess Charlotte, who was holding a soccer ball.

That didn’t sit well with Foster, who took to social media to criticize William.

“You know @KensingtonRoyal that @TheMatildas also played for 3rd, right?” He wrote.

“And that we are one of the ‘rich’ who are asked to ‘proclaim our allegiance’ to your father, his heirs and successors, that is to you? There’s clearly not much loyalty to it.’

Foster’s tweet was accompanied by a head-in-hands emoji.

The great Socceroos is co-chairman of the Australian Republic Movement and is known for pushing for the country to have its own head of state.

“It’s actually embarrassing for an increasing number of Australians,” he said last year when asked if King Charles held that position.

“And that’s partly because of who Charles is. Australia can look at our new king and say it is clear to all of us that we would not choose him for any position in this country.’

The big Socceroos’ post on X – formerly known as Twitter – divided opinion, with some Aussies accusing him of being divisive

Foster’s tweet about Prince William divided opinion online.

‘I see your point, but the only people who are preventing Australia from becoming a republic are Australians. Vent your anger on them,” one commenter replied.

“One minute you’re saying how great this is for football. Then you make a divisive political statement. Red card!’ wrote another.

‘Real? England are playing in the final, and you expect him to give a shout out to Australia, who are taking part in the most meaningless game in the world. a third.

However, many Aussies supported Foster’s position.

“We need to get rid of this ridiculous, constant tying,” one wrote, followed by comments like “A republic can’t come soon enough,” “Republic now,” and “the sooner we become a republic…the better!”

The royals have been largely criticized for not planning to travel to the World Cup finals, with fans of the England team wondering if the same decision would have been made had the men’s team been in the final game of the tournament.

Foster was angry that the Prince of Wales did not wish success to the Matildas, despite Australia being “one of the wealthy asked to proclaim allegiance to your old man”

Palace sources cited the cost of the trip and the carbon footprint as reasons for the prince not attending.

Mandu Reid, leader of the Women’s Equality Party, told MailOnline: “It is completely ridiculous that England were not and still are not ready to celebrate the Women’s World Cup final.

“The Football Association’s president, Prince William, is not bothering to attend, licensing laws have not been relaxed, there will be no screen in Trafalgar Square and no word of a big celebration if they win. .

“This last-minute struggle to show support for the Lionesses by our leaders is not only embarrassing, it shows how little they think about women’s sports.”