England trio in limbo over Covid breach
TAMMY ABRAHAM, Ben Chilwell and Jadon Sancho’s arrival to England duty has been delayed after they attended a party seemingly in breach of coronavirus regulations.
The two Chelsea players and Sancho were seen in a video at a party in London with more than six people on Saturday evening.
As a result the three men did not join up with the rest of Gareth Southgate’s squad at St George’s Park yesterday while the Football Association investigates. That makes the trio unlikely to be involved in Thursday’s friendly against Wales at Wembley and will leave Southgate, whose side also face Belgium and Denmark in the next nine days, frustrated after another episode of players breaking coronavirus rules.
The boss had warned his players to be on their best behaviour when he had to drop Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood after they were sent home for breaching protocols in Iceland last month. A statement from the FA read: ‘England men’s senior squad has assembled.
‘However, as a precaution to understand if there is any risk to the wider group, the arrival of Tammy Abraham, Ben Chilwell and Jadon Sancho will be delayed. This is to allow time to gather further information of a social gathering all three players reportedly attended over the weekend.’
Sancho released a statement yesterday, saying: ‘I would like to apologise for breaking the guidelines and although I was unaware upon arriving of the numbers attending, I take full responsibility for my actions. I will make sure that I learn from this.’
Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling has withdrawn from the squad due to injury and will miss all three games, having picked up a problem during Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Leeds.
The Premier League, meanwhile, last night announced another nine positive results among players and staff in the latest round of testing.