Man Utd, Man City condemn Greenwood and Foden for coronavirus protocol breach

Manchester United and Manchester City have expressed their disappointment in Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden respectively after the duo were dropped from England’s squad for breaching coronavirus isolation rules.

The youngsters appeared to be shown in a video posted on Snapchat by one of the girls they were said to be socialising with in Reykjavik, shortly after making their respective debuts in the 1-0 Nations League victory over Iceland on Saturday.

Such meetings are forbidden as part of Iceland’s self-isolation rules in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with England granted special exemptions for the match in Reykjavik. 

Icelandic media suggested England players had been exempt from a five-day quarantine but were subject to mandatory coronavirus tests at the border and were not allowed to meet with anyone outside of the squad or travelling contingent.

Manager Gareth Southgate later confirmed the pair will return to England separately and not take part in Tuesday’s contest against Denmark in Copenhagen.

A statement from Manchester United read: “Manchester United are liaising with the Football Association and are disappointed with the actions of Mason Greenwood over this situation.”

Stats Perform News understands the club believe Greenwood will not have to quarantine upon his return as the United Kingdom has no travel restrictions with Iceland, although a decision on when he can resume training is expected to be made in due course.

Gareth Southgate, who is currently speaking to the media ahead of tomorrow’s game, has confirmed Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood will not travel with the #ThreeLions to Denmark.

— England (@England) September 7, 2020

Manchester City added on Foden: “It is clear that Phil’s actions were totally inappropriate. 

“His behaviour not only directly contravenes strict guidelines related to COVID-19, but also falls well below the standard expected of a Manchester City player and England international.

“The club supports the FA regarding this incident, and officials from the club are now in touch in relation to Phil’s enforced early return to the UK.

“We have no further comment to make on this matter.”

Southgate addressed the media on Monday and was keen to stress nobody from outside England’s bubble had entered the area of the facilities that the team have been using, and that no one else within the party had come into contact with Greenwood or Foden.

When asked whether the breach would impact the duo’s involvement with England moving forward, Southgate said: “I think [to make a call on] those things, it’s too early until I have all the information. I don’t think I should be making those comments.

“I’m a father to young adults. I know young people get things wrong, we’re not excusing that. We’ve got to assess everything else moving forward.”