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They’re young. But they should’ve known better.
How could you not with all the information flying around regarding pandemic procedures?
Manchester City’s Phil Foden (20) and Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood (18) have been required to leave the England camp after an “unacceptable” breach of coronavirus quarantine guidelines in Iceland, where the Three Lions won 1-0 on Saturday.
Both youngsters made their England senior debuts in the game.
According to BBC Sport, Manager Gareth Southgate said they had been “naive” and had apologized.
A Reykjavik Metropolitan Police spokesperson told BBC Sport that both players were fined 250,000 Icelandic krona ($2,350CAD).
Southgate said that the situation was serious and FA had acted quickly as they possibly could.
“We have dealt with it appropriately. I recognise their age but the whole world is dealing with this pandemic.”
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According to reports in Icelandic and other media, the players allegedly met two women in another part of the hotel away from where the England team were staying.
When asked about the reports, Southgate said: “Nothing has happened in the areas we occupy in the team hotel.
“We are still getting to the depths of all the information because it was only brought to my attention only a couple of hours before training.
“We had to decide very quickly that they couldn’t have any interaction with the rest of the team, wouldn’t be able to travel to training.
“Given the procedures that we have to follow now, they’ll have to travel back to England separately.”
Later on Monday, an FA spokesperson said: “While they [Foden and Greenwood] did not leave the team hotel, it was an unacceptable breach of our protocol. They have both apologised for their serious lack of judgement.”
The FA has launched a “full investigation” and apologised to the Football Association of Iceland, saying it is “taking the appropriate steps”. It has also assured the Danish Football Union “that all other players and staff members have been isolated within our group throughout this period”. England play Denmark tomorrow.
The players’ respective clubs have each also condemned their players’ actions, calling them disappointing and inappropriate.