ANDRE’S PLAYING AT HOME Fan fury at lockdown party
SAFETY RULES IN SHREDS
PREMIER League star Andre Gray is being investigated after reports he breached lockdown rules by holding a birthday party for guests at his home.
The Watford striker is said to have organised a shindig for around 20 people to celebrate his 29th on Friday.
It is claimed revellers included Watford midfielder Domingos Quina, who was videoed playing football on an artificial pitch Gray had installed at home.
Gray shares the mansion with his fiancée, the Little Mix singer Leigh-anne
Pinnock, 28.
The do is said to have taken place a day after relegation-threatened
Watford lost a match against Burnley.
The party would have broken lockdown rules and social distancing guidelines that allow six people to meet in gardens or parks if social distancing of two metres is observed.
Guests could be seen sitting closely together in now-deleted social media posts uploaded to Gray’s Instagram.
Risk
It was also seemingly a breach of the Premier League’s Project Restart protocols, put in place to allow professional football to return behind closed doors.
Players have been told they should stay in family groups to avoid unnecessary risk of carrying infection into their clubs and matches. Gray’s employer said: “Watford Football Club is aware of social media posts which suggest two of our players have contravened the Government’s lockdown protocols.
“The club will fully investigate the matter and speak to the players concerned.”
Furious Watford FC fans last night criticised Gray and Quina, 20, who has represented Portugal at international youth level.
Paul Mathews said: “If only someone had given Andre Gray a brain for his birthday.”
It is understood Watford’s players and staff had undergone their latest round of Covid-19 tests at the club’s training ground before the alleged party – so Gray and Quina may now have to be removed from the squad for today’s match against Southampton.
Voice of the Sunday People: P27