Man City's Mendy the latest EPL player to breach virus rules

Despite the risk of being infected at the gathering, Mendy was named as a substitute for Sunday's game at Chelsea where City was one player short on the bench.

Published : Jan 04, 2021 05:20 IST , LONDON

Mendy allowed a chef and two friends of his partner to attend his home. People from different households are banned from mixing indoors in the northern English area where Mendy lives.
Mendy allowed a chef and two friends of his partner to attend his home. People from different households are banned from mixing indoors in the northern English area where Mendy lives.
lightbox-info

Mendy allowed a chef and two friends of his partner to attend his home. People from different households are banned from mixing indoors in the northern English area where Mendy lives.

Manchester City expressed disappointment Sunday that defender Benjamin Mendy became the latest partying Premier League player to breach English coronavirus rules by hosting friends at his house on New Year’s Eve.

Mendy’s rule-breaking took place as City was already dealing with the impact of a coronavirus outbreak at the club that led to the postponement of Monday's match at Everton and has forced six players into self-isolation, with defender Eric Garcia's positive test announced Sunday.

Despite the risk of being infected at the gathering, Mendy was named as a substitute for Sunday's game at Chelsea where City was one player short on the bench.

READ:

“Benjamin had already COVID so he had it in the past,” City manager Pep Guardiola said. “He has been tested every day like all the guys ... and is negative."

Contracting the coronavirus is not considered to provide any certainty against future infections.

Guardiola also went on to defended his player's actions saying, “He broke the rules. Of course it was not correct what he has done, but don't judge him much because if you look ... New Year's Eve many, many people have maybe done the same.”

The Premier League has not condemned any players from City, Tottenham, West Ham, Fulham and Crystal Palace who have been seen over the Christmas period appearing to flout COVID-19 restrictions that have been tightened in response to a new variant, which scientists have said is up to 70% more contagious.

Mendy allowed a chef and two friends of his partner to attend his home, a representative for the player was cited as telling The Sun newspaper. People from different households are banned from mixing indoors in the northern English area where Mendy lives.

“The club is aware of a New Year’s Eve COVID-19 breach involving Benjamin Mendy and the subsequent media reporting of it," City said.

“While it is understood that elements of this incident have been misinterpreted in the reports, and that the player has publicly apologised for his error, the club is disappointed to learn of the transgression and will be conducting an internal investigation.”

The Frenchman has expressed regret.

“Ben accepts that this is a breach of COVID-19 protocols and is sorry for his actions in this matter," his representative said in a statement to The Sun newspaper. "Ben has had a COVID test and is liaising with Manchester City about this.”

Mendy has tweeted urging people “to take care of you and yours” as midnight approached on Thursday night.

Britain is in the midst of an acute outbreak, recording more than 50,000 new coronavirus infections a day over the past six days.

READ:

On Saturday, a social media image was published of Tottenham trio Erik Lamela, Sergio Reguilon and Giovani Lo Celso attending a house party in London over Christmas period.

The players are facing disciplinary action at Tottenham as Manuel Lanzini is at West Ham after also attending the party.

Fulham, whose match at Burnley on Sunday was postponed due to rising infections at the London club, is investigating pictures showing Aleksandar Mitrovic and his fellow Serb Luka Milivojevic of Crystal Palace, along with their two families on New Year's Eve.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment