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English soccer internationals Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood were sent home and abandoned for England’s game against Denmark on Tuesday (Wednesday, New Zealand time) after violating coronavirus rules in Iceland.
A video was posted on social media in Reykjavik purporting to show the players meeting women from outside the team’s bubble after they debuted for England in a 1-0 win against Iceland in the Nations League on Saturday (Sunday , New Zealand time).
The English Football Association said Greenwood, 18, and Foden, 20, apologized for the “serious lack of judgment” and would return home instead of traveling to Copenhagen with the rest of the team.
Richard Heathcote / AP
Manchester City’s Phil Foden has been sent home after breaking quarantine rules while away with England.
“Unfortunately, it came to my attention this morning that two of the guys had broken Covid guidelines in terms of our safe bubble,” England coach Gareth Southgate said on Monday (Tuesday New Zealand time). “So we had to decide very quickly that they couldn’t have any interaction with the rest of the team and they couldn’t travel to training.”
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The players did not leave the team hotel, but they still violated the protocols that have been put in place to ensure that national teams can play their first international matches since the pandemic was declared in March.
Brynjar Gunnarson / AP
Phil Foden made his England debut in a 1-0 win in Iceland.
“They have been naive,” Southgate said. “We are very clear that no other member of our group has been in contact with these two players. That’s why they couldn’t go to breakfast this morning or join us for training. We are very clear that we have followed all the guidelines in this regard ”.
The England travel group, which is regularly tested for Covid-19, was exempt from Icelandic requirements to be quarantined for five days upon arrival.
“The FA will launch a full investigation into the circumstances that led to this violation,” the governing body said. “We have spoken with the Icelandic Football Association to offer our apologies for this incident and to assure them that we are taking appropriate action.
Mike Hewitt / AP
Mason Greenwood was also making his England debut in Iceland.
“We have also assured the Danish Football Association that all other players and staff members have been isolated within our group during this period.”
Both players will return to their clubs in Manchester.
Manchester United said they were “disappointed” by Greenwood’s conduct.
Foden’s conduct was called “totally inappropriate” by his club, Manchester City.
Brynjar Gunnarson / AP
Mason Greenwood has become a promising player for Manchester United.
“His behavior not only directly contravenes strict Covid-19-related guidelines, but also falls well below the standard expected of a Manchester City player and an England international,” City said in a statement. “The club supports the FA regarding this incident, and club officials are now in contact regarding Phil’s early forced return to the UK.”
The need for players to limit their risk of infection was highlighted on Monday by City which also announced that two players, Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte, have tested positive for the coronavirus.
The players have shown no symptoms and are in self-isolation two weeks before City begin their Premier League season against Wolverhampton Wanderers on September 21.
