Covid-19 rule-breakers escape as Premier League leaves discipline down to clubs
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The Premier League will NOT be disciplining players who broke Covid-19 restrictions over the Christmas period, sparking outrage amongst football supporters on social media.
A number of top-flight stars flouted lockdown rules over Christmas, including Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy.
Despite admitting to doing so, however, Mendy was defended by manager Pep Guardiola after being named on the bench in City’s 3-1 win away at Chelsea on Sunday.
Guardiola seemingly excused the Frenchman’s behaviour by saying: “I would like to know how many [other] people did this on New Year’s Eve”.
Tottenham stars Sergio Reguilon, Giovani Lo Celso and Erik Lamela were also spotted a party with West Ham ace Manuel Lanzini during the festive period, with Spurs boss Jose Mourinho admitting the club are “disappointed” by the incident.
But Premier League officials are not planning to hand out their own punishments for players who breach coronavirus regulations.
Instead, it will be left to individual clubs to discipline their own rule-flouting stars appropriately.
English top flight chiefs are said to have written to clubs before Christmas warning them to be vigilant amid a new Covid-19 strain, which has placed parts of London and the south east into tier 4 restrictions.
Yet, fans cannot believe the Premier League will not be punishing players for breaking the rules, taking to social media to express their dismay at the news.
One wrote: “Absolute joke..”
“Wondering if players would adhere to COVID-19 guidance more if the @premierleague deducted points from teams when clear breaches occur,” said another.
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While one commented: “It’s time for the premier league to show clubs whose in charge if you call a game of [sic] due to covid and players have broke rules it should be a forfeit game and a 3-0 defeat”.
Three fixtures were called off over the Christmas period; with Everton vs Man City, Fulham vs Tottenham and Burnley vs Fulham unable to go ahead in the last week.
- Premier League
- Coronavirus
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