[ad_1]
Gareth Southgate has confirmed that Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood were sent home separately after they allegedly invited two women to the England team hotel in Reykjavik and, as a result, broke the coronavirus isolation rules.
The players had made their full international debut in a 1-0 win over Iceland on Saturday – Foden as a starter, Greenwood as a substitute – but did not practice on Monday morning.
At a press conference for England’s game against Denmark on Tuesday, Southgate said: “Unfortunately, this morning it came to my attention that two guys had broken Covid’s guidelines in terms of our safe bubble. We had to decide very quickly that they couldn’t interact with the team. They couldn’t travel to train. Given the protocols they must follow, they have to travel back to England separately. “
When asked if the duo had invited women into their rooms, Southgate added: “Nothing has happened in the areas we occupy at the hotel. We are starting to dig into all the information. This only caught my eye before training. It was a clear violation of Covid guidelines. We have no alternative but to do what we are doing. They have been naive, I admit their age, but the whole world is dealing with this pandemic and each age group has a responsibility to do their part and not spread the virus. They have apologized. “
A Manchester United statement said they are “collaborating with the Football Association and are disappointed in Mason Greenwood’s actions on this situation.”
City added: “It is clear that Phil’s actions were totally inappropriate. Not only does his behavior directly contravene the strict guidelines related to Covid-19, but it also falls well below the standard expected of a Manchester City player and an England international. “
The story was revealed by Icelandic publication DV, which said the women had disclosed the quote to their Snapchat followers on Sunday night. DV has spoken with the women, who told them they did not want to discuss the matter as they did not want to get Foden and Greenwood in trouble. According to DV, they were “devastated” to learn that the images had passed into the public domain.
Foden and Greenwood are clearly identifiable in the Snapchat shots and it adds to another headache for Southgate, whose team traveled to Copenhagen on Monday.
The England manager has had to deal with the consequences of Harry Maguire’s arrest and trial in Greece, as well as a series of technical and logistical problems related to the physical condition of the players amid the pandemic. The squad received an exemption from the rule that travelers to Iceland must be quarantined for five days upon arrival in the country. Under the terms of the waiver, players and staff members were not allowed to meet anyone outside of their biosecure bubble, other than when they played the game against Iceland. According to an Icelandic FA employee, “they don’t even get permission to reunite with their family.” – Guardian
[ad_2]